[MAHARASHTRA CORONA UPDATES] Government Has Announced Lockdown the Whole State due to Rise in Coronavirus Patients.

On a day people came out in hordes across the country, despite several states officially being under lockdown, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday announced a curfew in the state as ‘people were not listening, and we are compelled.’ The curfew will remain in place till at least March 31. Essential services would be exempted during the period of restriction, he said, adding that the measures are necessitated considering the risk posed by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while interacting with media to announce to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state. With 89 positive cases, including two deaths, Maharashtra is the worst coronavirus-affected state in the country.

Maharashtra continues to remain the worst affected by the coronavirus outbreak in India, with the toll of infected cases in the state rising to 97. The confirmation from the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Health Minister Rajesh Tope came on Monday evening, as 30 fresh cases of COVID-19 was confirmed.

In the span of the last 24 hours, the number of coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra has surged by 32. The state of Kerala had earlier today, emerged as the worst affected after its tally of COVID-19 cases reached 95, as 28 more tested positive to the disease today.

“Yesterday the Government sealed the state borders and sealing district borders today. We will not allow it to spread to the districts which are unaffected as of now. Essentials like groceries, milk, bakery, medical, etc. will remain open. People need not panic. All religious places will remain closed. Only the priests and clerics alone will be inside and pray,” Thackeray said.

Nationwide, the toll of infected cases had crossed the 430-mark by the time this report was published. Several state governments have imposed a lockdown and sealed their borders while slashing or completely suspending the public transport services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a renewed appeal, asking the country’s populace to remain indoors.