With Covid cases on the wane in Maharashtra, once one of the worst affected states, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government plans to work on phase-wise easing of restrictions from June 1. This will help in the reopening of services and sectors, in addition to those deemed essential, and also prevent an unprecedented surge in infection. To bring the state back on the right track, a plan is been chalked out to work on phase-wise relaxations. Meetings are on to decide on the contours of the unlocking.
Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar, while speaking to The Sunday Guardian, said, “We all have to understand that the coronavirus has not gone away yet, but we don’t want people to suffer too. So, a plan is been worked on how slowly things be relaxed in phased manner. The coming four-five days are important when the CM will take stock of the situation in the state. Tomorrow discussion on the same will likely happen in the Cabinet and the final word will be declared by CM Uddhav Thackeray.”
Talking about local suburban trains, Mumbai’s lifeline, Minister Wadettiwar said that at least 8-10 days from June 1, local trains will not be open for the general public. Suburban trains are currently only ferrying BMC and other essential service staff. “Last time, it was observed that local trains were one of the main reasons for the increase in Covid infection and we have to save Mumbai. We don’t want Covid to get spread in the whole of Mumbai and in the state, in local trains, social distancing is not possible; there are lakhs of people travelling; so we will not start trains so soon for the general public,” he said.