Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray extends COVID-19 lockdown in state till April 30

After PM Modi's conference with all state chief Ministers, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on Saturday, announced that lockdown will be extended in Maharashtra at least till April 30. Moreover, he added that while it is possible for the government to lift the lockdown in certain places, lockdown in major areas like Mumbai will continue and on a stricter level. Maharashtra has reported 1574 cases with 110 deaths - of which Mumbai amounts to 1008 and 64 deaths.

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Maharashtra lockdown extended till April 30

"I will extend the lockdown in Maharashtra post-April 14 till April 30 at least. The time extension of the lockdown is in our hands. The sooner we break the 'Sakhli' (chain) of COVID-19 transmission, we can come out of lockdown. It is possible to lift lockdown in some places and instructions about examinations in schools, universities, allowing industries to be operational, will be given soon. But in major areas, like Mumbai, it is important to extend lockdown," he said. 

Lauding the bravery with which Maharashtra - the state with the highest COVID-19 cases 1574, he said, "It has been 5 weeks since first case in Maharashtra. We have been able to keep it in control in the state, but I want to get it to zero. We are allowing the continuing of farm activities as done in the previous lockdown. It will take time to break the cycle and we have shown great bravery, but one must not spread confusion."

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He also stated that the state was testing and screening the highest number of cases, with 29000 already screened in Mumbai itself. He added that the reason for higher deaths in Maharashtra is due to high risk patients with pre-existing conditions like diabities, kidney failure etc. In some cases, the cases have been detected at the last moment, which has led to higher fatalities.

Assuring his support to the Centre in the war against Coronavirus, Thackeray said, "All CMs are with PM Modi and he is with us. I have no issues as the Centre is with us and the state is with them.  I dont want politics at this time. If this unity what I am seeing continues for long, India will definitely win over Corona and other issues. We have no other option - we must fight and we have to win this war. You be aware, we (government) will take responsibility."

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States for lockdown

Apart from Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab and West Bengal have officially extended the lockdown, several other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu are mulling to extend the lockdown atleast till end of April. Some other states like Chhatisgarh, Meghalaya, Kerala, which have not seen a rapid increase in cases, have preferred a selective lockdown, relaxing curfew in most parts and limiting lockdown to COVID-19 hotspots. Most states have also readied exit-plans in case the Centre does not announce a nationwide lockdown post-April 14. 

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Centre hints at lockdown extension 

PM Modi too has hinted at extension of lockdown for 2 weeks, but the Centre is yet to confirm the same. PM stressed that the next three-four weeks will be critical to determine the impact of steps taken till now to curb the spread of the virus, suggesting pecific measures for agriculture and allied sector including modification of APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) laws to facilitate sale of farm produce. India's current COVID-19 tally is at 7529, with 6634 active cases and 242 deaths.