Maharashtra government has appealed people of the state to wear masks when outdoors and take necessary precautions to restrict a possible fourth wave of COVID-19.
This statements came after a review meeting held by the state government along with district collectors, divisional commissioners, municipal commissioners, zilla parishad CEOs and top police officers.
Moreover, it is pertinent to note that there has been an uptick in the cases in the state, especially in Mumbai where more than 100 new cases were reported for two consecutive days after nearly a month. On Wednesday, April 27, Mumbai reported 112 cases, higher from that on Tuesday, April 26, at 102. The state, meanwhile, recorded 186 new infections.
Additionally, amid rising cases of coronavirus, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope warned of making masks mandatory at crowded places again in the state.
Making vaccination mandatory
The government is thinking of allowing booster doses for people in the 18-59 age group in government centres. At present, booster shots are available for people less than 60 years of age only at private hospitals. The state is also thinking of reducing the nine-month gap before taking a booster dose.
Thackeray also said that he would also send a letter to the central government to make vaccination mandatory and reduce the period of nine months by giving precautionary doses to those who had received two doses of the vaccine. He also said that the government is considering giving preventive doses to citizens in the age group of 18 to 59 years from government hospitals.
A presentation made at the meeting revealed that 1,77,90,194 people have still not taken the second dose of vaccines against COVID-19. At least 88.91 per cent of the eligible population has taken the first doses, while 70.68 per cent has received both the doses, official data showed.
Also Read: COVID-19: Maharashtra Yet To Follow Suit Of Reinforcing Mask Mandate
"COVID-19 is not over yet"
The threat of coronavirus is not yet over. There is a need to arrest the spread of infection while it is at the doorstep. He claimed that there are 40 crore people in China’s various cities who are witnessing a lockdown. Thackeray also directed to be vigilant to maintain law and order in every district of the state.
Divisional CMOs should effectively address local issues
Chief Minister's Secretariat has been started in each Divisional Commissioner office. He also directed the district collectors to ensure that the issues of common citizens at the local level would be resolved promptly and only matters relating to policy matters would come under the purview of the ministry. The CM also directed to create necessary awareness at every district and state level regarding compliance of COVID prevention rules.
For those unversed, Maharashtra had done away all the COVID-19 related restrictions on April 2 on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa, the Marathi New Year.
Also Read: PM Modi reviews COVID-19 situation across states; interacts with Chief Ministers
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