The possibility of a lockdown in Maharashtra can't be ruled out if the surge in coronavirus cases continues, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Friday amid a fresh COVID-19 wave in the state. "I cannot rule out imposing a lockdown if the current COVID-19 situation prevails. People have become complacent. We are in a Catch 22 situation - should we look at economy or health?" the Chief Minister said in a televised address. "If this condition continues, I have told you already that in 15 days we will exhaust our infrastructure. So today I am giving a warning of a lockdown. Not announcing a lockdown yet. But if I don't find a solution in two days after speaking to more people, then I have no option," he said. Mr Thackeray said the state will announce new restrictions within the next two days. Maharashtra, that has been worst-hit from COVID-19 so far, reported as many as 43,183 new cases on Friday - its highest since the pandemic spread to India in March 2020.
Several districts have announced special restrictions like night curfew. The CM also informed that till now, the state government has administered 65 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses including 3 lakh vaccine doses yesterday. "Even after vaccination, some people are getting infected because they stop wearing masks," he highlighted. Uddhav said weddings, parties, political rallies and morchas restarted with crowding. "This is despite my appeal to stop for a while. COVID1-9 pandemic is becoming serious, there is new variant," the CM reiterated. The state is already witnessing a night curfew from last Sunday under the Maharashtra government's 'Mission Begin Again' programme. Under the ongoing restrictions in the state, gathering of five or more people will not be allowed from 8pm to 7am effective midnight March 27. All public places including gardens beaches will be shut between 8pm and 7 am. Violation of the restrictions will attract a fine of ₹1,000.Cinema halls, malls, auditoriums and restaurants will remain closed from 8pm to 7am. Home delivery and takeaway from restaurants will be allowed during the period.