Uddhav urges people to celebrate fire-cracker free Diwali
@the_news_21
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today said that the state will take a cautious view on re-opening of religious places and hinted that permission may be granted post Diwali festivities to avoid overcrowding in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic.
Addressing the people of the state via webcast today, CM said that although the SOPs would be released later, wearing of face masks while visiting places of worship in the state would be compulsory.
The Chief Minister, who has been urged to sanction the re-opening of places of worship in the state, said he had held out because of the risk to senior citizens who visit them.
Also Read: Maharashtra govt orders for opening of high and secondary schools post Diwali
Thackeray also stressed on the importance of wearing a face mask whenever stepping outside. He added those not wearing masks will be fined. He said a COVID-19 patient moving without a face mask in a crowd can infect around 400 persons.
Thackeray also urged people to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers as cases of infection due to Covid-19 see a downward trend in the state. While referring to the spike in cases in the national capital, Thackeray said cases in Delhi have increased because of pollution that weakens the respiratory system. He added that he will not impose a ban and requested people of the state to show self-discipline and celebrate firecrackers-free Diwali.
Cautioning against a second wave of the virus, he said 15 days after Diwali are still crucial and we have to be very cautious. He said the numbers are on a decline but from what we are seeing in the western countries is that when the second wave comes, it’s not a wave, it’s a tsunami.
The chief minister also said that the government will not dismantle the Covid centres and hospitals but raised concerns over the shortage of healthcare workers.
He said the state government has opened almost everything and the economic activity is picking up pace.
In his address, the CM also informed that the state government was in talks with the Centre for the resumption of Mumbai local services for the general public. He said the decision will be taken soon.
