Lockdown will be back if Covid cases rises, says Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday appealed to people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour despite the relaxation in restrictions as the availability of medical oxygen was limited.

He appealed to people to take the pledge to make the state and country free of Covid-19. Thackeray also warned that there would not be any option but to impose a lockdown if the state saw a spike in daily cases. Thackeray was speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony held at Mantralaya to commemorate Independence Day.

Thackeray in the context of Covid-19 said that the state is experiencing pre-independence conditions due to Covid since the last one and half years. “We are easing restrictions now. Covid has still not been eliminated. So we need to be more alert as it has resurfaced in a few countries. Considering the limited availability of medical oxygen, if the number of Covid cases see a rise, then we will have no other option but to reimpose the lockdown,” he said. He added that to avoid a lockdown, people must follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

The state has allowed the general public to board local trains from Sunday, Independence Day, provided they have completed 14 days after getting fully vaccinated. Also, some restrictions have been eased and malls, restaurants, gyms, salons and spas have been allowed to reopen.

Thackeray also appealed to people to take the pledge to make the state and country Covid-free and celebrate the next Independence Day in a free atmosphere.