Another Maharashtra lockdown? This is what CM Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar say

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has hinted at another lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 amid a spike in cases after the festive season.

"There was a huge crowd during the Diwali period. Even at the time of Ganesha Chaturthi, we saw crowds. We are speaking to relevant departments. We will review the situation for the next 8-10 days and then a decision will be taken about the lockdown," Pawar said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray warned that the second wave of COVID-19 could hit the state "like a tsunami" if people fail to follow safety guidelines.

"The spiralling cases in Delhi is a cause of concern and there is night curfew in Ahmedabad. I don't want another lockdown, but you should also understand the gravity of the situation," he said.

Also read: Maharashtra weighs suspension of Delhi-Mumbai flights, trains amid rising COVID-19 cases in national capital

"We are standing at a dangerous turn. We have to decide whether we want to go for a lockdown or follow all the mandatory COVID-19 safety protocols," he added.

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There was a huge crowd during Diwali period. Even at the time of Ganesha Chaturthi, we saw crowds. We are speaking to relevant departments. We'll review the situation for next 8-10 days & then the further decision will be taken about the lockdown: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar pic.twitter.com/WpAcCzJExm

— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2020

The state government allowed schools to reopen from November 23 onwards for class 9 to 12. However, reopening of schools in Mumbai has been postponed until December 31 amid a rise in coronavirus cases.

Read: Don't overcrowd religious places, next wave could hit like a tsunami, cautions Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

With the addition of 5,753 coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra on November 22, the state's overall infection count increased to 17,80,208, the health department said. The death of 50 patients took the fatality count to 46,623, it said in a statement.

There are 81,512 active cases in the state at present. Of the 5,753 total cases reported on Sunday, 1,135 were detected in Mumbai alone, which took the city's case count to 2,75,714, while 19 deaths pushed the toll to 10,675.

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