As per a recent report, Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra S. Awhad has taken a voluntary decision to self-quarantine himself, as a precautionary measure, to ensure safety. However, official sources said that he is not infected by the coronavirus, as he tested negative few days back.
The decision was taken as he had come in contact with a police officer who had tested positive. This voluntary move raised alarms in the government office and amongst Ahwad's personal and familial groups. Ahwad had taken this decision a few days back and immediately informed the team at a government hospital who tested him. Despite testing negative, he insisted on self-quarantine and his party members have called this an 'exemplary step.'
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In a conversation with IANS, he said, "Yes, I am now in self-quarantine at home. Nothing is wrong with me. But this is a precautionary measure to ensure that all others around me are safe."
Some NCP leaders have refused to comment further on the matter and the minister has asked all his party workers to not disturb him during this period, keeping the health in mind.
Earlier last week, a tea vendor near CM Uddhav Thackeray's residence, Matoshri, tested positive for COVID-19. This shook the government officials and more than 160 security staff and other officials from Matoshri were tested after the area was sealed for security purposes. All the staff members tested negative, and a new security team was formed for the CM.
Over the last two weeks, the number of cases in Maharashtra has increased exponentially. As of April 12, 2020, around 149 deaths were recorded in the state, with 1982 positive cases. Keeping this critical condition in mind, the government has decided to extend the lockdown until April 30, 2020, and CM also said that if the people do not follow the social distancing norms, the lockdown may be extended further.
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