Maharashtra: Lockdown-like curbs may be extended till May 31 as cases surge

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic doesn't seem to end anytime soon and the situation in Maharashtra has started to worsen again. In the last 24 hours, the state saw as many as 46,781 new cases while 816 have lost their lives due to COVID-19. In such a deteriorating situation, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has hinted at extending the state-wide lockdown till May 31.

Tope said that in wake of rising COVID-19 cases in several districts, the cabinet ministers in a meeting opined to extend the restrictions for further two weeks in the state. It may be noted that the current lockdown like restrictions that have been imposed in the state will end on Saturday. 

The minister added that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will take a final decision and in the next two-three days, orders may be issued for it.

Another important decision that was taken during the meeting is to immediately suspend the vaccination of people between the ages of 18 and 44. Due to a shortage of stock, all vaccines that were procured by the state government for the 18-44 age group will now be utilised for those over 45 years of age. 

Tope also informed that SII CEO Adar Poonawala has promised the Chief Minister that Maharashtra will get 1.5 crore doses of Covishield after May 20, adding that the state government will resume vaccination of 18+ people after that. He added that after getting permission from the central government, a global tender will be put out for the purchase of the vaccine.