Given the fact that COVID-19 cases are increasing in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, Municipal Commissioner of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), Dr Vijay Suryawanshi on Wednesday announced new restrictions on stores, markets and food stalls. From Thursday, non-essential shops are not allowed to stay open for more than six days a week post 7 PM. Such shops will have to remain closed either on Saturday or Sunday.
Shops categorized under the essential services category will now have to close by 9 PM, while the previous deadline was 11 PM. Furthermore, the KDMC has also directed vegetable markets in the city to run at 50 per cent capacity starting Thursday.
While restaurants and hotels could previously operate or deliver food until 11 PM, the crowding around food stalls in the region has led to the KDMC establishing a 7 PM deadline for such establishments as well.
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On Wednesday, Kalyan-Dombivli recorded 392 cases of COVID-19, taking the tally of cases to 65,462 while the region has seen 1,208 deaths so far.
Keeping the growing cases in mind, Dr Suryawanshi held meetings with health officials, private doctors from the Indian Medical Association, and police officials. The commissioner added that the police will file cases against people violating the limit of 50 people per weddings or other gatherings.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has acknowledged the growth in COVID-19 cases across the state while expressing concern. “We do not like to impose lockdowns, but we have to take a decision on this if people do not follow Covid norms,” the CM said on Wednesday.
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“We still have time to control the spread. We have also started a vaccination programme, but people need to follow norms,” Thackeray added.
Meanwhile, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope ruled out a lockdown scenario saying “We need to learn to live with Covid by taking precautions.” He also encouraged the idea of door-to-door or home vaccinations along with 24x7 vaccination centres to advance efforts in beating the virus.
Tope raised suspicion on the caseload reported by other large states of the country, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. “Either they are not testing enough, or there is something wrong with the data being reported,” Tope said.
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