25-04-2020
There are possibilities that Mumbai and Pune Metropolitan areas may remain under lockdown for at least till June, the existing lockdown up to May 3 might get extended.
Maharashtra government officials addressed the growing number of cases in the city and neighbouring areas, parts of the state would continue to remain under lockdown at least till June. “As of now, there is no question of lifting the lockdown in the Mumbai and Pune MMR region. In fact, with the rising numbers, there may be a need to stern restrictions,” said a state government official. In that case, restrictions on means of transport such as local trains, buses, shops, and establishments may continue to remain under lockdown position.
Maharashtra up till now reported 394 new COVID-19 cases on Friday as the State’s tally reached 6,817, while 18 fresh fatalities took the death toll to 301. Mumbai’s tally stands out to be 4,589 followed by 963 from the Pune division
The numbers increasing in Mumbai and Pune area is a cause of worry for the Maharashtra government that is looking for an economic revival in the state. Due to total lockdown, all the economic activities are bought on hold. Mumbai and Pune forming the backbone of the state’s economy, it has become the cause of worry and also a question of how the government would figure out an economic revival plan.
Pune administration has already enforced the lockdown more severely. The time slots are allotted for grocery buying and milk purchases. The people are only allowed to step out for the purchases for an hour or two.
Meanwhile, coronavirus in Mumbai had shadowed more than 983 containment zones. More than half of these containment zones are in slums that are crowded. Other areas in the state are also witnessing an increase in the number of cases. For instance in Nashik’s Malegaon, there are more than 100 cases to date. In Nagpur, the number of cases has also reached 100.