Health minister Rajesh Tope rules out lockdown in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: Ruling out a lockdown, state health minister Rajesh Tope said that so far there has been no discussion on a lockdown, though there is need for more restrictions.

Tope said that on Friday, CM Uddhav Thackeray held a two-hour meeting with the health department and the state Covid taskforce but there was no discussion for a lockdown. Tope said infections are doubling every two days. The positivity rate in urban areas such as Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik and Raigad is high. Mumbai’s weekly positivity rate is 5%, while daily it is now between 8-11%, he said. To ensure transmissions do not increase, the government decided to implement restrictions from December 31, and this needs to be implemented strictly, he said.

“The day infections rise exponentially, bed occupancy rises and oxygen consumption (in hospitals) crosses 700 metric tonnes per day, that day in automode we go in for lockdown. It is correct that the number of infections are rising every day. I appeal to the media not to create lockdown anxiety. We certainly need more restrictions to prevent transmission,” he said.

Tope said the government is working on a strategy to increase vaccination, pointing out that while restrictions had increased the government had still not touched restaurants, theatres, schools and colleges.

Tope added that in two days, Thackeray would hold a meeting with district collectors, senior officials and police on the Covid situation in the state. The health minister also said there is a need for a genome sequencing lab in every district.

Meanwhile, Aslam Shaikh, guardian minister of Mumbai island city, said, “In Mumbai, if cases grow rapidly, we may have to announce a lockdown for a few days.”