The lockdown has helped in reducing the number of covid cases in Maharashtra. Therefore, the lockdown should be extended for another ten days, a number of cabinet ministers said in a meeting on Tuesday. The decision regarding the lockdown extension will taken at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, sources said.
"There is a possibility of a third wave in September and October, so we have to be fully prepared," said Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope.
How much oxygen, Remdesivir and other things does the state gets from the central government every day? it was decided to provide official information on behalf of the government. The decision to issue an official press release was taken at a meeting of ministers, officials said. Therefore, the truthful information will come to the public in a transparent manner, the officials said.
Ministers Vijay Vadettiwar, Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil and Uday Samant have hinted at increasing the lockdown.
From May 1, it will take 12 crore doses to vaccinate citizens between the ages of 18 and 44. The health department has sent a letter to Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech regarding its availability. The state government is committed to vaccination and the availability of vaccines for such a large number of population is a major challenge.
The vaccine would be given free of cost to the economically weaker sections of the population and a final decision would be taken at a cabinet meeting. The proposal has been sent by the health department.
The Centre on April 19 had announced a ''liberalised'' policy, making all above 18 years of age eligible to get vaccinated from May 1. The third phase began on April 1 for all above 45 years of age.