Maharashtra shuts workplaces till month-end

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, March 20

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today ordered all workplaces in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region — Navi Mumbai, Pune, parts of Raigad, Nagpur and Pimpri-Chinchwad — till March 31 as part of efforts to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Thackeray said only medical stores, groceries and milk booths would be permitted to stay open. “All private companies have to shut their offices till March 31. There are many who say their workers cannot work from home. But we have to shut them down. People have to remain at home in order to stay alive. We have no other alternative. Healthcare personnel are fighting a brutal war to keep us alive,” Thackeray said.

The Chief Minister said the government offices will work with only 25 per cent of their staff. He further said if these measures did not yield results, the government may stop public transport in order to restrict the movement of people.

“This closure is meant for people to stay at home. It is not a holiday,” he said.

The CM added that public transport was presently being kept operational for staff who are providing essential services. “It is easy to close down public transport. But healthcare personnel like doctors, sisters and compounders need to get to their workplaces. Even BMC workers, and sanitation workers apart from ambulance drivers take the trains and buses,” Thackeray said.

He further asked employers to ensure payment of minimum wages to those who have been forced to stay at home.

Later this evening, various religious leaders announced suspension of services. Mumbai’s Archbishop, Cardinal Oswald Gracias announced the suspension of masses and church services till April 4.

Five Covid patients to be discharged in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Five patients who had earlier tested positive for Covid-19 would be discharged from hospital after fresh tests conducted on them came out negative, Maharashtra’s Health Minister Rajesh Tope said. The minister said these patients would, however, have to quarantine themselves at home for the next 14 days as a precautionary measure. The good news came even as three new cases came to light in the state. TNS