As the number of coronavirus cases surge to 73 in the state, Maharashtra government decided to impose Section 144 of CrPC in all urban areas from March 31. “I would like to request everyone to continue Janata Curfew till tomorrow morning,” said Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“Number of cases has increased considerably. I have no option left but to apply Section 144 in Maharashtra,” Thackeray added.
“Maharashtra has entered into a very sensitive & important phase of Coronavirus pandemic. So I urge people to take all precautions in the fight against this virus,” Thackeray said.
In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Western Railways cancelled Mumbai Suburban train services till March 31. “Kindly note that Mumbai Suburban services of Western Railway will not be run from from 24.00 hrs of 23/03/2020 ie from the midnight of 22/03/2020 till the midnight of 31/03/2020,” Western Railway tweeted.
Intercity bus services will remain suspended in Maharashtra till March 31. However, BEST buses will ply on the roads for people involved in essential services. Only the people discharging essential duties will be allowed to use public transport till March 31, Maharashtra chief minister said today.
In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, the employee strength at the government offices will be reduced to five per cent from the present 25 per cent, Thackeray said.
All essential services including banks & share market will remain open on Monday. No flights outside of India will be allowed to land in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray said. The ‘work from home’ practice should be encouraged to avoid the spread of coronavirus, Maharashtra chief minister added.
The total number coronavirus cases in India surged to 341, confirmed health ministry. Five of the ten people who tested positive for the coronavirus in Maharashtra on Sunday got the infection through local transmission, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
Centre and state governments decided to completely lock down 75 districts across the country where coronavirus cases have been reported, officials said on Sunday. The districts where lockdown was announced are from states that include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has also been decided that all trains will be stopped till 31 March, no metro rail and inter-state buses will operate till month end.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/coronavirus-have-no-option-but-to-apply-section-144-in-maharashtra-says-thackeray-11584870602906.html