Mumbai painted a deserted look as shops and establishments have shut businesses and people are working from home amidst the coronavirus outbreak. With Maharashtra reporting the highest number of COVID-19 cases in India, the city that never sleeps is braving through the contagious pandemic. From street vendors wearing face masks to religious places being shut, here's how Mumbai is fighting the deadly coronavirus. (All photos: Pradeep Dhivar, Suresh Karkera, Sameer Markande)
Updated On: 2020-03-18 12:00 PM IST
A total of 41 coronavirus cases, including 3 foreigners have been reported in Maharahstra with 15 tested positive in Mumbai. Among the 15, eight people are from the peripheral areas of Mumbai.
In photo: Devotees offer prayers at St Michael's Church, Mahim amidst the coronavirus outbreak
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said the government would be forced to take the "harsh decision" to stop bus and train services in Mumbai if people don't avoid unnecessary travel. Thackeray said there would be no holiday for seven days to government offices as was reported in a section of the media. Picture/Twitter Office of Uddhav Thackeray
Mumbai reported its first death due to COVID-19 on Tuesday when a 64-year-old man died at Kasturba Hospital. The patient had returned to Mumbai from Dubai on March 5 and was admitted to Hinduja hospital on March 8 before being shifted to Kasturba Hospital on March 13 on being tested positive.
In photo: Juhu beach paints a deserted look as Mumbai police close the popular beach in order to avoid mass gatherings.
On Wednesday, Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias in an official statement said that novena services at St Michael's Church, Mahim have been suspended till further notice. Devotees are invited to pray at home, said the press release.
The Maharashtra cyber police warned of strict action against rumour-mongers who are spreading misleading and unverified information on social media regarding COVID-19. The police have stepped up online surveillance in order to identify senders of such fake news and other content.
In photo: Restaurant staff at Dadar TT wear safety mask as they serve customers amidst COVID-19.
Amidst the coronavirus scare, IIT Bombay has announced a virtual shutdown of its campus at Powai here till March 31. On March 20, the IIT-B decided to ask students to vacate hostels by March 20 evening. An IIT-B official said while the total intake of students is 11,000 many of them have already left the campus for various reasons.
In photo: A masked staff at a saree shop in Dadar sets up the mannequins during morning business hours.
In photo: A senior citizen dons a safety mask amidst the outbreak of coronavirus as she wades through the streets of Dadar.
Amidst the coronavirus outbreak in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has raised the fine for spitting five-fold from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 in order to combat the contagious pandemic which spreads due to to respiratory droplets.
In photo: A fish vendor waits patiently for customers to arrive as the Mazgaon fish market paints a deserted look.
In order to prevent crowding in public places, the Mumbai police has asked pubs, dance bars, discotheques and similar establishments in the city to shut till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Deputy Commissioner of Police N Ambika (Headquarters-1) ordered all senior inspectors, assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure that pubs, discotheques, dance bars and orchestra bars remain closed till March 31.
While public spaces, entertainment hubs and water parks across Mumbai have been shut, the railways announced the cancellation of a host of outstation trains on the Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), including Rajdhani Express and Deccan Queen, citing low occupancy and an additional preventive measure amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.
In photo: A masked woman passes through a coronavirus awareness painting in Dadar.
In photo: A vendor prepares to distribute newspapers as citizens wake up amidst coronavirus fear in Mumbai.
On Tuesday, the Central Railway installed thermal check points at four major railway stations for all those commuters who want to willingly check their temperatures to further prevent the spread of coronavirus. The thermal checkpoints have been installed at CSMT, Thane, Dadar and Kalyan railway stations.
High streets such as Fashion Street, Colaba market, Crawford market and other prominent places have witnessed footfall in the number of customers visiting them amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. About 400 shopkeepers of Fashion Street said that the number of customers has reduced by 90 per cent in the last few days.
