Maharashtra Prime Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday urged the people of the state not to lower their guard against Covid-19 and strictly follow security protocols to avoid the imposition of another lockdown.
He said that although he has been advised to impose a night curfew, he does not believe that anything can be achieved by imposing such restrictions.
Stating that the unlocking process does not mean the pandemic is over, Thackeray called on people to remain cautious.
In a webcast, he said that even though people were largely adhering to Covid-19 security protocols, many others were still not following the mandatory mask-wearing directive and still venturing into crowded places.
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“The spiral of cases in Delhi is cause for concern and there is a night curfew in Ahmedabad. I don’t want another confinement, but you must also understand the seriousness of the situation, ”he said.
“We are in a dangerous curve. We have to decide whether we want to do a shutdown or follow all the mandatory Covid-19 security protocols, “he said.
“I have been advised to impose a night curfew, but I don’t think anything can be achieved by imposing laws,” he said.
“Thank you for celebrating Diwali without firecrackers. But I must express my disappointment that Covid-19 security protocols are not being followed in many places.
“I urge you to avoid moving unnecessarily and if you have to go outside, please wear a mask and keep your physical distance,” he said.
The prime minister added that young people become infected by not following security protocol and transmit the infection to the elderly in their families.
“It is really sad that the people we have protected for all these months get infected due to the younger members of the family,” he said.
Thackeray said confusion still prevails over the availability of vaccines and drugs for the treatment of Covid-19.
“Until then, we have no choice but to have the mandatory use of masks, physical distancing and hand disinfection,” he said.
He noted that post-coronavirus side effects posed a serious threat to patients with comorbidities.
“The secondary effects after Covid-19 are serious and can affect the brain, lungs, kidneys, among other organs.
Pollution is also affecting people with comorbidities, ”he added.
The prime minister said: “The unlocking process does not mean that the pandemic is over. Although places of religious worship have been reopened, avoid the crowds there. Several festivals took place during the pandemic and most people celebrated it without crowds. We have been able to control the peak, but we cannot be careless, ”he said.
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“The second wave seen in various parts of the country like Delhi and Ahmedabad and western countries looks like a tsunami and not a wave and we have to be cautious.
“Overcrowding will not kill the coronavirus, but it will help it spread further,” Thackeray said.
He said the ‘My family, my responsibility’ campaign has helped the government obtain the state’s health map.
Thackeray said there is uncertainty about the schools reopening even though a decision has been made.
The government had previously decided to reopen schools for classes 9 to 12 as of November 23.
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