CM Uddhav Thackeray: Maharashtra may extend lockdown to May 31

Chief Minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray has hinted at one more extension to the lockdown. This time it might be till May 31 in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune. The CM while addressing an all-party leaders’ meeting via video conference said that the lockdown may be extended till the end of May. This will be in the state’s red zone areas that have contributed to 90% of Maharashtra cases.

Speaking to leaders of various parties on Thursday, the CM while discussing the exit plan for the ongoing lockdown, hinted at the fourth extension of the lockdown after May 17.

Thackeray held a meeting of leaders of 18 political parties in Maharashtra to discuss the Covid-19 outbreak in the state. They even discussed the measures that need to be taken to contain it. The lockdown is all set to end by May 17. He said that April 30, May 15 and May 31 are three milestones for MMR and PMR in the fight against the virus. One has been successfully faced, the remaining two will also be surpassed successfully.

According to leaders who attended the meeting, the state government is expecting a spike in cases over the next few weeks. The downward trend is not expected during the ongoing phase of the lockdown. The leaders said that the government is aiming to clear the migrants from various districts by then.

As reported by sources to HT, “Besides the other issues the ministers brought to the notice of the government, they also demanded clarity on the exit plan for the ongoing lockdown. The CM apprised them about the measures taken to contain the spread in cities like Mumbai and Pune. Augmentation of the health services by creating facilities with additional beds.”

With 692 persons testing positive the number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai rose to 11,219. The death toll reached 437 as 25 patients died in the city on Thursday.

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