Maharashtra: Lockdown-like restrictions extended till May 15

A beat marshal stops people seen at Marine Drive on Thursday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

To strengthen its fight against the second wave of the novel Coronavirus infection, the state government has extended the lockdown-like restrictions till May 15. The previous curbs orders were in effect till the morning of May 1.

The state cabinet had given Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray all powers to decide on the extension period. Since most of the ministers wanted further 15-day restrictions because the COVID-19 caseload hasn't decreased as expected but the lockdown-like measures helped in some way or the other, a longer extension was approved.

On Thursday evening, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte issued a notification that kept all restrictions intact. It was imperative to continue the emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of the virus, he said.

The sweeping curbs on movement of people and a host of other activities, imposed early this month, were to continue till 7 am on May 1.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC, banning assembly of five or more people at one spot, are in force.

Local train services in Mumbai and public transport are open only for essential services staff of the government. At present, vegetable shops, grocery stores and milk outlets are allowed to function only between 7 am and 11 am.

Essential services have been exempted from the curbs.

(With inputs from agencies)