Mumbai COVID surge: Residential societies with five or more cases to be sealed

Following the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to seal any residential society in Mumbai that reports five or more Covid-19 cases.

“We are seeing a higher positivity rate in high rises than in slums and ‘chawls’. Hotels and pubs to remain closed during night curfew. Only essential services will be allowed,” Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said.

She added that the night curfew in Mumbai may start from 10 pm or 11 pm on March 28.

On Saturday, India’s financial capital reported 6,123 new covid cases, which is the highest since the start of the pandemic. It recorded more than 6,000 cases in a single day for the first time. Mumbai has been reporting more than 5,000 cases for the last three days, a BMC official said.

“Night curfew in Mumbai may start from 10 pm or 11 pm on March 28. Hotels and pubs to remain closed during the night curfew. Only essential services will be allowed. BMC will seal the residential societies with five or more cases. We are seeing a higher positivity rate in high-rises than in slums and chawls,” she added.

Meanwhile, Uddhav has ordered night “curfew” in entire Maharashtra from March 28. However, while the statement in English used the word “curfew”, an official statement in Hindi said the chief minister asked officials to impose section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure under which gathering of five or more persons is banned.

Maharashtra reported 36,902 new positive cases, 17,019 discharges and 112 deaths on Friday, as per the State Health Department. The total cases in the state on Friday surged to 26,37,735 including 2,82,451 active cases and 23,00,056 total recoveries. The death toll yesterday escalated to 53,907 including new deaths.

By editor

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