MUMBAI: The Andheri (west) civic ward is currently recording the highest number of Covid cases among all the 24 municipal wards in the city. Its daily case count hovers between 200 and 300, prompting civic authorities to intensify the testing drive here.
Among measures proposed, officials are weighing shutting down access to
Juhu beach, which is partly in the ward and continues to draw a large number of visitors.
On March 22, officials said the ward reported close to 300 cases, most of which were from housing complexes. The ward is posting a weekly growth rate of 0.97%.
Assistant municipal commissioner Vishwas Mote said, "At Juhu beach we already have our clean-up marshals deployed to penalize those not wearing a face mask. From Monday onwards we also started antigen tests at the bhel plaza on the beach premises…We have also sought police bandobast in case of a law and order situation arising.” Mote added that hawkers are being tested aggressively around railway station areas and markets within the ward.
These random antigen tests are being done without the consent of citizens. A refusal to take the test would amount to an offence under the Epidemic Act, 1897 and may invite action against the offender.
Local MLA Ameet Satam pointed out that last year the maximum daily cases in the ward touched 150-200, much less than the 250-300 being reported now. "Closing the beach on weekends is much needed. I have also suggested that the vaccination drive be intensified," he said.
Juhu corporator Renu Hansraj said restrictions on timings was another way out. Some also pointed out that the large numbers of restaurants, pubs and other eateries that the locality boasts of is seeing plenty of footfalls.
Civic activists in the area said the restlessness among citizens who were confined to their homes for the last whole year, is beginning to manifest. AGNI coordinator Zahida Banatwala said people are travelling and celebrations and get-togethers are also taking place. "The authorities need to keep an eye out for such events taking place without permission," she said.