Maharashtra, the state worst-hit by COVID-19, on Sunday extended lockdown till May 31 in view of the surging cases.
Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta issued an order in this regard which stated, “The government in exercise of the power conferred under section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, read with all other enabling provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005, it is expedient to extend the lockdown in the entire state of Maharashtra further till midnight of May 31, 2020.”
Government of Maharashtra extends lockdown till May 31 for containment of COVID19. pic.twitter.com/MBWTGleNlp
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The decision came on the day when the third phase of nationwide lockdown comes to an end.
During the last meeting with PM Modi, CM Uddhav Thackeray had suggested that the lockdown shouldn’t be lifted, instead should be regulated with relaxations.
“Cases are expected to peak in May, it may peak in June or July also. I’ve read Wuhan is witnessing a 2nd wave of cases,even WHO has warned about this. So, I suggest that any action on lockdown must be taken cautiously. Mumbai local trains should be started again for the people who are engaged in essential services. I request that if the need arises the state should be given central forces as police are under heavy pressure and their personnel are also getting infected”, Thackeray has said.
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The government of Tamil Nadu also announced the extension of the lockdown in the state till May 31, with more relaxations.
According to the Union Health Ministry, the state has 30,706 cases of COVID-19 including 1,135 deaths and 7,088 cured patients.
With the sharpest spike of 4,987 new cases in the last 24 hours, the nationwide tally on Sunday stood at 90,927 cases including 2,872 deaths and 34,108 discharged/cured patients.
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