Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday afternoon announced a statewide curfew while stating that all district borders in the state will be sealed.
This comes as the number of positive cases for coronavirus or COVID-19 increase to 89 in the state. Of the 89 positive cases, 14 new cases are from Mumbai while one from Pune.
While addressing the media via web telecast, CM Uddhav Thackeray said that the essential services including grocery shops, medical stores will remain functional. Moreover, transportation for essential services will be allowed but with restrictions.
“I am compelled to announce a statewide curfew. People were not listening and we are compelled to impose the same. All district borders will be sealed and no inter-district transportation will be allowed. We will not allow it (coronavirus) to spread to districts which are unaffected,” said CM Uddhav Thackeray.
CM Uddhav Thackeray urged people to not panic and announced that all religious places will remain closed. “Only priests and clerics will be allowed inside the place to worship,” said Thackeray while adding that he has written to the Prime Minister for the closure of domestic flight travels.
Meanwhile, the civil aviation ministry has announced that all commercial domestic flights will be suspended from tomorrow - from 23:59 on March 24 - with an exception to cargo flights.
During his address, the Chief Minister said that private vehicles are completely banned on roads and will be excused in exceptional and emergency cases.
“In private vehicles, along with driver two people will be allowed while in auto-rickshaws only one person will be allowed excluding the driver. This is only allowed during an emergency,” said Thackeray.
More than 4-5 will not be allowed to congregate at any place in the state, Thackeray added.
These measures have been taken after it was learned that despite the section 144 of CrPC imposed by Maharashtra government on Sunday, the citizens today ventured out on streets with their vehicles causing a traffic jam in parts of Mumbai.
Don't Play With Others Health, Stay Indoor: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray