Aaditya Thackeray meets BMC officials to review preparation for the second wave of COVID19

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has warned citizens about the second wave of coronavirus if the people do not follow the norms and directives issued by the government. However, over the last few weeks, several questions have been raised with regards to the preparations to deal with the second wave, availability of beds in comparison to the potential number of patients, the current status of COVID-19 hospitals in the city, etc.

With an aim to discuss and understand the same, Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray called a meeting today, with Sub-District Collector Milind Borikar, Additional Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Suresh Kakani and other key officials of BMC and district administration.

Though the number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai is declining in this meeting, the city needs to be careful, said Aaditya Thackeray, while instructing the concerned authorities thereby asking them to be ready for any challenge.

With recent festivities, the city has seen a large influx of migrant workers returning to Mumbai and observing the same, officials have been asked to be more vigilant. Adding more, Aaditya said that while conducting the new departmental survey, the team will have to focus on comprehensive investigation and public awareness. Besides this, he also reviewed the level of readiness to cope with the second wave of coronavirus, thereby understanding the availability of beds and the status of COVID hospitals.

Experts had earlier predicted that the COVID-19 infection would spread rapidly due to the large crowds during Diwali, and concerns have also been raised about the increased risk of infection during the winter season, and the change in weather. Keeping these factors in mind, the civic body has been instructed to keep a constant check at all coronavirus hospitals, isolation centres and ensure the availability of medicines at all times. Respective teams have also been directed to conduct COVID-19 tests regularly.

On the public safety front, the government has appealed to the people to wear masks, avoid going to crowded places, maintain distance and follow sanitation protocols.