Maha govt imposes night curfew from Monday to curb COVID cases

Mumbai: Amidst rising number of Covid cases in Maharashtra, tight restrictions, including night curfew and weekend lockdown, will be imposed in the state from 2000 hours to 0700 hours from April 5 onwards, said state Minister Nawab Malik on Sunday.

It was decided to impose strict restrictions for five days a week and strict lockdown on weekends, he said.The decision to impose night curfew in Maharashtra was taken Sunday by the state cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Cinemas and theaters will be closed. Only essential services will be allowed to operate at night.

The government has left to industries and businesses to determine the working hours for their workers and employees."If a corona infected patient is found in a company, then it will be the responsibility of the company owner," said the minister.

On Saturday, Mr Thackeray, while talking to media, had indicated that it was time for lockdown saying restrictions will be imposed gradually if people do not listen.Buses and local train services in Mumbai will be allowed to run according to the seating capacity, Mr Malik added.

Maharashtra reports nearly 50k cases in past one day

The worst pandemic-hit state of India -- Maharashtra -- on Saturday yet again witnessed a huge spike of 49,447 new COVID-19 cases and 277 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The fresh 'huge' surge in cases has taken the infections tally to 29,53,524 while the death toll soared to 55,656.On positive note, as many as 37,831 people recovered from the deadly virus. Till now, 24,95,315 people have been cured and discharged in the state, since the onset of the pandemic.

The recovery rate which was rising in the previous month has now fallen to 84.49 per cent, owing to the sudden spurt in cases.

On testing front, as many as 2,03,43,203 people have been so far tested for the millennium scourge with fatality rate standing at 1.88 per cent.The state still has an active caseload of 4,01,171 patients, undergoing treatment at different Covid care centres and hospitals.

4.62 lakh vaccinated in a day in Maharashtra

Maharashtra state health minister Rajesh Tope on Sunday said that Corona Vaccination has gained momemtum across the state and 4.62 lakh people were vaccinated on Saturday.Tope Tweeted this information on Sunday.

The Minister said that this is the first time in the country that such a high number of people have been vaccinated in a single day.Maharashtra has achieved the highest number of vaccinations in the country, he said.

It may noted that Maharashtra is one of the worst affected states in the country, it recorded close to 50,000 cases and 277 fatalities during the past 24 hours.(UNI)