No more standing in Mumbai's BEST buses; 50% attendance in Maha govt offices amid COVID-19

Amid vel coronavirus spread in state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday and decided that 50% of employees will be present in government offices. step is being considered as a precautionary measure of 'social distancing' to prevent furr spread of  vel coronavirus.

In a meeting held with administration, CM Thackeray said, “Infection needs to be reduced in order to combat coronavirus vigorously, and it will be possible only if crowd is under control”.

Alternative buses will be provided to help reduce crowd

In meeting, CM decided that Government offices in state will continue on a day-to-day basis, accounting for 50% of workforce. Besides, it has been suggested to try and operate public transport system with 50% passengers capacity. This includes Railways, BEST buses, private buses, and metro. Passengers will t be allowed to stand in BEST buses. 

Travellers will also be given instructions on which routes to travel within distance. Also, alternative buses will be provided which will increase number of buses in cities, to avoid crowd.

On Setting-Shop hours, CM Thackeray decided that shop hours in city will be decided in such a way that all shops will be open in morning and in afteron. Markets as well as crowded places scheduled will also be changed in one day or ar.

Over equipment availability, Chief Minister has directed that facilities will be available and to be provided to hospitals and Medical colleges. Essential medical equipment, ventilation, masks as well as personal protective equipment, drugs will be available.

CM warns against hoarding of essential goods

CM Thackeray in a press release requested citizens who are being home quarantined, to stay back at home and asked m to take care of mselves as well as ors too. In a meeting, CM also directed that public should t store essential commodities, food grains, medicines. re is reason to panic as supply of essential commodities in state is sufficient and smooth.

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On Tuesday, Maharashtra Cabinet decided that public transport including local trains and buses will continue to function. Along with this, CM Uddhav Thackeray clarified that re is holiday for government employees and offices will remain open.

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While talking to reporters, Uddhav Thackeray informed that local train and bus services in Maharashtra will remain open until people refrain from n-essential travel.

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“We will have to take a harsh decision of shutting down train and bus services if people don’t refrain from n-essential travel,” CM Uddhav Thackeray asserted. Maharashtra is worst-hit state in India with 44 cases which have been tested positive for coronavirus or COVID-19.

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(Im credits: Twitter/@OfficeofUT)