We are told Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray did not want an imperfect mix of partial lockdown on weekdays and a total lockdown on weekends while he reluctantly approved of new measures to tackle the rising graph of novel Coronavirus infection in the state. The decision was taken in consultation with important stakeholders and political leaders cutting across party lines. Once imposed, objections were raised against the restrictions, saying that they were like total lockdown in the garb of harsh curbs. Traders, retailers, several other stakeholders took to streets demanding relaxations for their respective sectors.

Meanwhile, the powers that be who prepared Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) were exposed for committing some grave errors; for example, they allowed transport but did not permit fuel stations and garages. The share market remained open but the broking firms remained shut. The chartered accountants and company secretaries remained shut when the year-end workload stared at them. Bars and permit rooms sold liquor but standalone liquor shops were denied permission. Amid rising protest and demand for relief, CM Thackeray and the COVID Task Force realised that such a ‘shut and open’ policy won’t work. Thackeray told the all-party meeting it was the right time to take a decision, adding that the state cannot impose restrictions and relax them simultaneously. This means total lockdown is certainty, and will get implemented ruthlessly considering an urgent need of breaking the chain of infection.