Covid-19: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Orders Night Curfew

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray ordered a night curfew in the entire state from March 28 in view of rise in COVID-19 cases.

Night curfew will be imposed in the entire state of Maharashtra from March 28 in view of an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, an official statement said on Friday.

Thackeray also warned of stricter restrictions if the people did not observe COVID-19 safety protocol, it said.

The chief minister reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the state in a meeting with divisional commissioners, district collectors, superintendents of police and deans of medical colleges.

"I do not wish to impose lockdown. But there seems a possibility of healthcare facilities falling short given the rise in number of coronavirus patients," Thackeray was quoted as saying.

He asked officials to ensure availability of adequate hospital beds and medicines, the statement said.

Maharashtra recorded 35,952 coronavirus infections on Thursday, the highest one-day rise since the pandemic began. The state added over one lakh cases in four days.

Considering the rise in Covid-19 cases, the administration in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Friday ordered the shutting of wedding venues, lawns and ceremonial halls from April 15.

The district disaster management cell met during the day and decided to take some stringent measures in light of the spike in infections.

As per the order, all wedding venues, lawns and other ceremonial halls will remain shut from April 15 onwards, the order stated.

For weddings that will take place before April 15, organisers and management should follow the Covid-19 norms, it was stated.

The order also regulated the timings of shops, markets, theatres, malls, places of worship and educational institutions in the district.

The Covid-19 case count has gone up to 48,292 in Palghar district, while the toll stands at 1,215.