03 April,2021 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra Jore
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has issued a warning that he will not hesitate to impose a total lockdown if citizens do not cooperate with the government, which will issue strict guidelines in a couple of days to stop the unabated spread of COVID-19. He was addressing the state online on Friday evening. He reiterated the need to follow COVID protocols while apprising the citizens of the exponential growth rate of the past month. He said that the medical infrastructure might be adequate in the coming days, but that there wouldn't be adequate medical and support staff to handle patients.
A visitor to a mall shows a negative antigen test before entering Star City mall in Dadar. File pic
Thackeray came down heavily on political parties and individuals advising against a lockdown without even suggesting alternatives. "Lockdown is surely harmful to the economy. Advisors are giving advice, but not suggesting ways to tackle the spike. We're in a complex situation wherein we have to save our economy as well as people's lives. A political party wants that the people to be given Rs 5,000 (in case of lockdown), and an industrialist wants us to create more medical facilities. Can such advisors ensure that they give us at least 50 doctors, nurses and paramedics to look after the patients?" said the CM.
If the CM's indications are considered, the mini lockdown-like restrictions would focus on places where crowds gather. Such places would be shut 24X7 for at least a week. Pune district would have a mini lockdown from Saturday onwards. Hotels, restaurants, malls, cinema halls/multiplexes and bus transport would be completely shut. Mumbai is likely to have Pune-like restrictions, said sources.
"Though the government has given instructions and imposed certain restrictions, the local trains, restaurants, buses, etc. are packed. Now, tell me what to do? Should we save lives or jobs? You will certainly get jobs because that is in our hands," said Thackeray. He said political parties have threatened to take to the streets to oppose the lockdown.
Uddhav Thackeray, chief minister
"I ask them to do it happily, but it should be done to fight the pandemic; to take care of bereaved families; to ensure tracing and testing; to serve the people. After all, I see the need to fight the virus together," he said, requesting political opponents to not make the pandemic a political issue.
He slammed people who don't wear masks. "What is so brave in saying that I will not wear a mask?" he said, in an apparent snub to a leader from Mumbai, who refuses to follow basic COVID-19 protocol.
"I trust you and you trust me. You will have to decide for yourself to stop it. I request political parties to not play with lives. I will be coming out with (strict) restrictions in a couple of days after discussing with experts and others, but I also caution today that there shall be a blanket lockdown (if the situation doesn't improve). I can't accept the status quo," he said.
Thackeray assured citizens that the government was strong enough. "But this is a two-way action. You will have to collaborate and cooperate to defeat the devil," added the chief minister.
