Mumbai: The Maharashtra government went into clampdown mode on Monday, reacting to the detection of a mutated strain of coronavirus in the United Kingdom and announced the imposition of evening curfew in 27 municipal corporation limits from 11pm to 6am from December 22 to January 5.
However, the CM had, in his net address to citizens on Sunday, stated there was no require for a fresh lockdown and evening curfew. He had alternatively urged men and women to continue to observe self-discipline as the threat of virus nevertheless existed.
But soon after the fresh diktat, one particular can be assured that there will be no grand parties or public events on December 31 to usher in the New Year. The government has hinted at action against organisers of such parties in Mumbai and other cities.
There is a distinction involving a evening curfew and a lockdown. While in lockdown, men and women can not step out of their properties, in a curfew, more than 5 men and women can not assemble outdoors.
Additionally, the government has imposed a 14-day institutional quarantine for passengers arriving from Europe and the Gulf. Passengers landing in Mumbai from abroad will have to undergo residence quarantine as a precautionary measure.
These choices had been announced soon after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray chaired a meeting to critique the new variant of the Covid virus detected in the UK. ‘‘Due to this new virus of corona, extra precautions are being taken in the state and we must be more vigilant for the next 15 days. The new coronavirus found in the UK is spreading rapidly and the danger of the virus will be known in the next few days, so the state is being put on high alert from today (Monday),” said Thackeray.
He has asked the administration to keep strict vigil on international passengers landing in Mumbai and the rest of the state.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal clarified that the curfew had been imposed to prevent people from meeting in hotels etc. Essential services will not be affected during the curfew period. People travelling at night will not be stopped.
The state government’s announcement comes soon after the Centre temporarily suspended flights originating from the UK, with impact from December 22 midnight and will continue till December 31.