Amid rise in Mumbai's COVID-19 cases, BMC directs only 75% staff to report for work

On Friday, the  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) directed only 75% of its staff to report for work in Mumbai amid the rising number of novel coronavirus cases. The April 30 order which mandated compulsory attendance for all employees has been amended. 1,967 COVID-19 cases and 462 deaths have been reported in Mumbai as of May 8. As per the Public Health Department of the BMC, more Corona Care Centres would be set up in the next 15 days. It added that quarantine facilities are being developed at Mahalaxmi Race Course, Nehru Science Centre, BKC MMRDA ground, Mahim Nature Park and NESCO ground where the asymptomatic positive COVID-19 patients from highly dense slum pockets will be kept.

Read: Mumbai's COVID-19 Tally Surges To 11,967 With 748 New Cases; Death Toll Stands At 462

Initially, the BMC was working at 50% strength. Maintaining that it was becoming tough to implement measures for containment of COVID-19 with 50% staff, the civic body mandated all employees to resume functioning. However, staff members residing outside Mumbai limits were asked to work from their nearest ward offices. Warning that the salary would be cut on not reporting to work, the BMC exempted staffers of more than 55 years of age not holding senior positions and having co-morbidities from this rule.

Read: Neighbouring Civic Bodies Mull Barring Residents Returning Home If They Work In Mumbai

COVID-19 crisis in India

Currently, there are 56,342 confirmed novel coronavirus cases in India out of which 16,540 patients have recovered while 1,886 casualties have been reported. Addressing a press briefing earlier in the day, Lav Aggarwal- the Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry revealed that 3,390 new cases had been reported in the last 24 hours in India. With 1273 individuals recovering from COVID-19 in the same period, the country's recovery rate stands at 29.36%. Aggarwal observed that no fresh novel coronavirus case had been detected in 42 districts in the past 28 days. 

Read: 'Mumbai Covid Cases Will Decline In 15 To 20 Days,' Says Maharashtra Health Minister Tope

Read: AAP Accuses CM Nitish's Bihar Govt; Says Delhi Govt Bearing Migrants' Shramik Train Cost