War against COVID is not over yet: CM

Thackeray asks district administration to implement five-level unlock plan carefully

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Sunday, directed the district administration to implement the five-level unlock plan carefully and said that COVID 19 crisis is still not over. He claimed that the plan was a ‘calculated risk’ and urged people to take care of themselves. "Nothing is going to be eased immediately. Some criteria and levels have been fixed and the local administration will take a decision on whether to ease restrictions or further tighten them," he said.

At the virtual meeting with the divisional commissioners, district collectors, municipal commissioners and superintendent of police, Thackeray said the war against COVID-19 isn't over yet. He instructed the district administration to take all possible measures to avoid crowding at public functions and ceremonies, as the restrictions enforced have not been entirely relaxed.

The CM said that, although the state has been able to reduce the number of patients while battling the second wave, the danger of the third wave remains. "Just as we monitor the water levels in rivers and dams in our respective areas every monsoon and take immediate steps to evacuate civilians or take other steps if the water-level rises above a certain line, these five levels will determine whether or not to impose restrictions," he added.

Thackeray further told the district administration to not ‘succumb to any pressure’ and impose restrictions if the cases rise. He also directed them to spread awareness in villages, as cases are on the rise in rural areas. Thackeray’s diktat came days after he gave a call for a COVID-19-free village and subsequently the Rural Development Department announced a contest with prizes up to Rs 50 lakh. “Considering the possibility of the third wave, be more careful and cautious, not only at night but also during the day,” said Thackeray.