Measures will be taken against those traveling without a mask on trains, said the Mumbai civic body (Archive)
New Delhi:
Mumbai civic authorities cracked down today with new security measures, as Covid numbers in the state and city remained on an upward trajectory for a week, recording more than 5,000 cases on Thursday. Mumbai reported 736 cases. Citizens who violate the rules of isolation at home, weddings and public gatherings will be prosecuted, said an order from municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal. In two districts of the state, Amravati and Yavatmal, restrictions were established. Amravati has been locked up for the weekend, from Saturday night to Monday.
The Mumbai civic body said 300 sheriffs will be appointed to take action against passengers traveling without a mask on suburban railways. The goal will be to catch 25,000 criminals every day.
Warrants have been issued to raid wedding halls, clubs, restaurants, etc. to verify proper Covid behavior. Buildings with more than 5 COVID-19 patients will be sealed and patients who test positive and are warned about home quarantine will have their hands sealed.
Citizens who violate the rules of isolation at home, weddings and public gatherings will be prosecuted, the civic body said.
Passengers arriving in Mumbai from Brazil will be placed in mandatory Institutional Quarantine, the Brihanmumbai Corporation said, as a safety requirement against the highly infectious Brazilian strain.
All these measures will be carried out in conjunction with an increasing number of tests in pavilions that register an increasing number of cases, added the civic body.
Authorities say there has been a weakness in the maintenance of Covid regulations lately and this is most marked on local trains. “It is a cause for concern. Most of the people who travel on trains do not wear masks. People must take precautions or we will head towards another lockdown,” said Mayor Kishori Pednekar.
On Sunday, Maharashtra recorded 4,092 new cases of coronavirus, the first since December. The numbers, since then, have been steadily increasing. Today, the state reported more than 5,000 new cases of COVID-19, a new record after a 75-day gap.
On Wednesday, the state reported 4,787 new cases of COVID-19, the highest one-day count in more than two months. Amravati reported 230 cases, a sharp increase from the 82 infections it recorded on Tuesday.
Some other districts in the Vidarbha region have also seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
Calling on people to follow Covid protocols, Amravati collector Shailesh Naval said today: “Due to the increase in Covid cases, we are imposing a one-day shutdown in the Amravati district from Saturday to Saturday. 8 pm until Monday at 7 am “.
Markets, swimming pools and indoor games will remain closed, while only five people will be allowed at religious ceremonies, he said. Essential services, however, will not be affected.
In Yavatmal, schools and universities will be closed until February 28. Restaurants and wedding halls will operate but with less than 50 percent capacity. The gathering of five or more people will not be allowed, the district collector said.
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