Lockdown cannot be lifted completely as of now: CM Uddhav Thackeray

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, July 25, stated that he is not in favour of lifting the lockdown just to address economic concerns in the state of Maharashtra.

He said there was a need to strike a balance between the issues related to health and economy considering the challenge posed by the pandemic. In the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray stated that the lockdown cannot be lifted completely as of now. He asserted that several things will resume operations again but gradually further adding that one cannot only think about economy or health but both as there also needs to be a balance between the two.

The state of Maharashtra has been observing a coronavirus induced lockdown which is going to continue till July 31. However, the government had started lifting the restrictions in a phase-wise manner under its 'Mission Begin Again' initiative in order to reopen the economy in a relaxed manner.

Elucidating the seriousness of the pandemic, the CM further said that the battle with the coronavirus happens to be a global war. According to Thackeray, the countries that lifted the lockdown without giving it much thought were forced to impose it again in order to contain the spread of the contagious disease. In Australia, they had to rope in the army, the CM informed.

On the restarting of the suburban railway network in Mumbai, he said, that as of now, everything needs to happen step-by-step as he cannot risk the families falling ill across the state. The local trains, which happen to be the lifeline of Mumbai had earlier paused its operations due to the pandemic. On June 15, it opened its services but only for the people who are engaged in essential services. People like police, doctors, nurses, municipal cleaners, journalists can traverse in the locals.

Furthermore, the CM also spoke about the acclaim the state government has received by the World Health Organization, as well as the Washington Post, adding that the political challenges do not matter as long as the citizens of the state are with him.