No lockdown in Maharashtra, but stricter restrictions to be imposed: Maha Health Minister Rajesh Tope

While speaking to the media about the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has denied the possibility of a lockdown. The minister said that even though the cases are rising, the government is very well prepared to handle it and there’s no need for lockdown in Maharashtra.

“Not at all. Lockdown is the last resort. For lockdown there are norms – hospitals have to be overwhelmed or there has to be unavailability of beds or doctors. Only in such cases, we go for lockdown. We are very well prepared, there are lots of beds vacant. 85% of patients are asymptomatic and are in home quarantine. There’s no reason for a lockdown,” the minister said when asked about the possibility of lockdown in Maharashtra.

“Even though restrictions have been imposed in a few cities of Maharashtra, including lockdown in Nagpur, and night curfew in Pune and Latur, we won’t impose any lockdown but instead impose stricter restrictions in the view of rising number of COVID-19 case”, he added.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra reported 23,179 fresh COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day tally in 2021. With these new cases, the state’s overall caseload has climbed to 23,70,507.

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said that the state is planning to set a target of vaccinating 3 lakh people every day and with that target, the vaccine stocks will last only for another 10 days.