Maharashtra extends lockdown till May 15 amid rising cases of COVID-19

The lockdown-like restrictions in Maharashtra will now remain in place till 7 am on May 15. 

Maharashtra extends lockdown till May 15 amid rising cases of COVID-19
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New Delhi: The Maharashtra government on Thursday (April 29) extended its COVID-19 induced lockdown-like restrictions till May 15.

The lockdown-like restrictions will now continue till 7 am on May 15. 

The order issued by chief secretary Sitaram Kunte said this decision was taken as the state continued to be threatened with the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, it is “imperative to continue the emergency measures” in order to stem the transmission of the deadly coronavirus, he added. 

Earlier, lockdown in Maharashtra was slated to end on May 1 at 7 am. 

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had given indications that the state government is in favour of extending the full lockdown, likely for another 15 days, till May 15.

The slew of restrictions to curb the COVID-19 spurt in the state includes prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC, banning assembly of five or more people at one spot. 

Local train services in Mumbai and public transport are available only for essential services staff of the government. Essential services have been exempted from the curbs. 

Vegetable shops, grocery stores and milk outlets can function only between 7 am and 11 am.

Meanwhile, 66,159 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the caseload to 45,39,553 in Maharashtra. While 771 fatalities were recorded in a single day, taking the death toll to 67,985, as per state Health Ministry data on Thursday. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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