COVID-19 restrictions in Maharashtra likely to be extended beyond May 1

The 'break the chain' restrictions in place in Maharashtra to tackle the surge in coronavirus cases may be extended beyond May 1 depending on the outbreak situation, State health minister Rajesh Tope said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Jalna, over 400 kilometres from here, Mr. Tope said people have been supportive of the restrictions, though some violations of prohibitory rules under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have also been reported. "We are taking stock of the situation. There have been some violations of CrPC section 144 invoked to curb the COVID-19 spread. We may extend these restrictions beyond May 1, depending on the situation. A decision will be finalized only after reviewing the outcome of these 15 days (when the restrictions will be in place)." 

"I must admit people have been supportive of the restrictions," the minister, who has been insisting on strict measures and restriction on the movement of people to contain the outbreak, said. The State government on April 14 announced several restrictions under a 'break the chain' initiative to rein in what is currently the severest spike in COVID-19 cases anywhere in the country. Rajesh Tope on Saturday demanded that considering the demand and availability of oxygen in Maharashtra, permission should be given to transport oxygen by rail from other states. He also demanded that the state's pharmaceutical companies be allowed to manufacture Remdesivir, a target of 8 lakh vaccines per day in the state and, for which vaccines should be supplied. Tope was part of the virtual interaction held by Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan with health ministers of all the states in the country. India reported over 2.34 lakh total cases on Saturday, the highest number of cases to date. Total cases so far stand at 1.45 crore. Active cases surged by over 1 lakh in the last 24 hours.