Covid-19: Saamana editorial warns of another lockdown in Maharashtra

The local administrations imposed restrictions in Thane and Nashik districts on Tuesday. In Thane, 16 hotspots were put under lockdown

Amid an increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana warned of an impending lockdown or stringent restrictions to tackle the resurgence. An editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said that people should maintain self-discipline to avoid restrictions.

People flouting social distancing norms as they stand in a queue to get dose of Covid-19 vaccine, at a Kamla Nehru Hospital vaccination center in Pune on Monday. (ANI)

Mumbai’s guardian minister Aslam Shaikh on Tuesday said that a decision on imposing restrictions or lockdown in the metropolitan city will soon be taken by local authorities. “In a meeting on Monday, the chief minister [Uddhav Thackeray] instructed the municipal corporation and the collector to decide on the imposition of lockdown. It can be a night curfew, complete or partial lockdown. [Coronavirus] cases are on the rise in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Nightclubs are likely to be shut first,” Aslam Shaikh said.

The local administrations imposed restrictions in Thane and Nashik districts on Tuesday. In Thane, 16 hotspots were put under lockdown.

“Is Maharashtra heading towards another lockdown? Cases across the country are increasing and Maharashtra’s contribution is major, which is a cause of concern... People should maintain self-discipline and put some restrictions on themselves.Take care, else lockdown or strict restrictions are unavoidable,” the editorial said on Wednesday.

The Sena mouthpiece further slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for not following Covid-appropriate behaviour. “BJP wants to hoist their flag in victory in West Bengal. But at least the Prime Minister should follow Covid protocol. The union health ministry said that there is no threat of Covid-19 in West Bengal. It seems till Prime Minister’s grand rallies and BJP leaders campaign visits end there would be no Covid-19 there,” the editorial said.

There was no immediate response o the editorial from the BJP.

The editorial also asked what the Union government was doing to help Maharashtra tackle the Covid crisis. “The rulers in Delhi have expressed concern over the rising cases in Maharashtra, and we are grateful for the concern shown. But what are you going to do to help fight Covid? What use is your hollow concern to Maharashtra?”