Maharashtra may go for complete lockdown to control Covid surge, CM calls all-party meet today

Mumbai: Amid an alarming spike in Covid-19 cases across Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has called an all-party meet on Saturday to discuss the situation and steps to curb the spread.

The meeting will be attended by prominent faces of the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance and leaders of BJP, MNS, SP etc.

It is being speculated that the government is mulling a complete lockdown in the state as new infections reach record high. In the meeting on Saturday, CM Thackeray might try to secure the backing of opposition leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray, who have opposed the current restrictions.

The state is currently under a strict weekend lockdown from 8 pm on Friday till 7 am on Monday. Section 144 has also been imposed prohibiting the assembly of five or more people.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar stating that a three-week long lockdown was required in the state to bring the coronavirus cases under control.

Having only a weekend lockdown was not enough for the state considering the rise in numbers, he said.

"We are doing all we can to check the spread, but it requires strong manpower. We will soon make available five lakh doctors, including those who are completing their post- graduation," the minister was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

"We need to bring curbs on the movement of railways and stop crowding in public places to prevent the community spread and save people's lives," he added.