A day after the PM Modi chaired a review meeting with the states over rising COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra cabinet discussed the situation of the state and whether wearing masks should be made mandatory in public places again, which was lifted on April 2.
However, no specific decision has been taken so far in this regard on Thursday, April 28. The government will decide about it later, said sources.
While talking to the media, after the meeting, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the state government is monitoring the situation and keeping a close vigilance on the rising numbers.
Tope stated: "We had a discussion regarding the issues raised in the PM’s review and also some of the suggestions made by the COVID task force to stop a spike before the situation goes out of hand. But no decision was taken in the meeting.”
“As of now use of masks has not been made compulsory. The citizens will not have to pay any fine for lack of use of masks. However, my appeal is that citizens need to wear masks in public places,’’ he added.
This development comes on the day when Maharashtra recorded a spike in the daily coronavirus cases at 165. With this, the active cases touched to 961. Moreover, two deaths-linked to COVID were also recorded. Meanwhile, Mumbai reported 90 fresh cases on the same day, taking the active cases to 562. However, in a relief, no such deaths were reported.
On the other hand, on April 27, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray also appealed citizens to wear face masks and adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour in crowded places.
It is pertinent to note that the state COVID task force had earlier recommended that face masks be made compulsory in enclosed and crowded places.
Moreover, Rajesh Tope earlier, had mentioned that the situation in Maharashtra is under control.
However, amid the uptick in COVID-19 cases reported in India, many states have been bringing back the mask mandate. Several states as well as union territories have re-imposed the compulsion of face masks including Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Read More: COVID-19: Maharashtra Yet To Follow Suit Of Reinforcing Mask Mandate
Share
Tweet
