Lockdown 4.0: ‘Will re-open industries & markets in a disciplined manner,’ says Uddhav Thackeray

On Monday, Chief Minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s addressed the State regarding the coronavirus situation and lockdown 4.0.

Check out the highlights from his address: 

- I took oath as a Member of Legislative Council today. I will complete six months as the Chief Minister by this month end. I thank you all for your blessings and good wishes.

- We are gradually bringing back those from abroad and those from foreign countries held up here are also going back. So, it is not as if everything has grinded to a halt.

- But, quarantining them is important. Those coming from outside may act as a carrier of the virus and infect others.

- Hence, I want to appeal to my brethren from Konkan and Western Maharashtra. This is a temporary phase, if you can defer your decision to leave, you will do a favour to Maharashtra and your family also.

- Many say, we must learn to live with Corona. We are willing to live with Corona, but is it willing to let us live? The world will surely change after Corona.

- So far, we said stay at home and be safe. Now, we will have to expand this motto to say, take precautions when outside home. We will have to observe precautions for few months.

- You have been observing discipline, and I want this to be strengthened. People are unnecessarily leaving home in containment and Red zones. We are not permitting religious functions and congregations. The lockdown till May 31 is a speed-breaker.

- The Govt has decided to inform people before allowing any activity. We allowed some activities but had to stop this due to huge crowds. In some countries, the lockdown had to reimposed after the crowds led to the spread of the virus.

- We will re-open industries and markets a disciplined manner so that we do not have to stop any activity once it is allowed.

- The academic year begins in June. Some examinations are yet to be held. What about these examinations? When will schools begin? Or will teaching be done online? These are important issues.

- We will not allow the academic year to be affected. We are contemplating how schools, colleges and admissions will start.

- I want this danger should be curbed before the monsoons, as schools and colleges begin their admissions and academic years in June.

- I am sure and confident that as long as the bond of faith between us is strong, we will overcome this situation. I am not happy to impose restrictions. We want to restore normalcy, but it will take a while.

- We will be free from these restrictions if we follow self-discipline and break the Corona transmission chain. I am requesting you, the Government is doing all this to prevent a threat to your lives.

- I know that you are uneasy. But, this is for your benefit. I am sure that you will cooperate with us like in the past.