Lockdown in Maharashtra extended by 15 days, new guidelines on June 1

Mumbai : Coronavirus situation is improving in many parts of the nation and after reviewing it for Maharashtra, the authorities have decided to extend the lockdown by another 15 days; the new set of guidelines will be announced on June 1, said Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.

“As far as lockdown is concerned, 15 days’ extension has been given, but the guidelines related to it will be issued on June 1,” Tope said in Friday.

No relaxation will be given to the areas with large number of coronavirus cases and high positivity rate. He added that areas where situation of coronavirus has improved will be given some relaxations. He stated that the decision will be taken on June 1 on the opening of shops selling non-essential commodities.

On Thursday, CM Uddhav Thackeray had said that the relaxations will be announced in a phased manner after checking the status of coronavirus.

“In 10 to 15 districts, the positivity rate is still very high. Besides, there is the threat of the black fungus infection (found in recovering/recovered coronavirus patients),” the chief minister had stated.

However, he had made it clear that the lockdown-like curbs will not be lifted all together after June 1.

On Thursday, Maharashtra recorded 21,273 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state’s infection tally to 56,72,180, while 425 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 92,225. Out of the 425 deaths, 267 occurred in the last 48 hours and 158 during the last week. The state also added another 459 deaths to the cumulative figure due to updating of fatality counts by various civic bodies and districts.

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