As the total number of positive Coronavirus cases climbed to 17 in Maharashtra, the MVA Government on Friday invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to prevent spread of the pandemic in the State and ordered closure of cinema halls, auditoriums, gyms and swimming pools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nagpur cities from the midnight.
Making a statement in the State Assembly, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray confirmed that the Covid-19 positive cases had risen to 17 in the state. Of the 17 cases, Pune accounted for a maximum 10 positive pandemic cases, while Mumbai recorded three such cases. Nagpur and Thane reported one Coranavirus positive cases.
“Fortunately in none of the 17 persons tested positive for Covind-19, there are serious symptoms of the pandemic. I am confident that if we take adequate precautions, we will be able to overcome serious medical situation we are facing,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister announced the state government's decision to invoke the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 ( from Friday midnight), which among other things empowers the state government to quarantine persons showing symptoms of Coronavirus , if needed forcibly.
Announcing a host of measures being taken by the state government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the state, Uddhav said: “Cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools and malls will remain closed in the cities of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nagpur. While 10th and 12th standard examinations will go on as scheduled, we are closing schools in Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune till further notice”.
Indicating that Cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools and malls would remain closed in six major cities in Maharashtra till March 30, Uddhav said: “We have taken this decision ( of closure), as we need to take precautions for a minimum of 14 days”.
“However, we can not close down malls, restaurants and hotels. But, we request people to avoid going to places where there are crowds like malls, restaurants and hotels,” he said.
The chief minister exhorted the private companies to allow employees to “work from home” in view of coronavirus threat. He also urged the people not to undertake unnecessary tours and take steps to avoid crowds in public places.
“We cannot prevent people from travelling by trains and buses. But, we will not allow religious, cultural, political and sports events. We will not give permissions for such events. In case where such permissions have already been given, the permissions will be cancelled,” the chief minister said.
Uddhav said that in the list of seven worst-Coronavirus hit countries given to the State by the Centre, the names of United States and Dubai did not figure. “Because we have positive cases of people coming from US and Dubai, we will be bringing this to the attention of the Centre,” the chief minister said.
Meanwhile, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope has appealed to people to remain calm and not to resort to panic purchases of masks, sanitizers, medicines, etc. He said that family doctors could easily treat CoronaVirus symptoms without the need for quarantine.
In a related development, many mosques in Mumbai cancelled or truncated the traditional Friday prayers, while the BCCI has postponed the upcoming IPL tournament. Meanwhile, a flight carrying 46 Indians -- evacuated from the Coronavirus-hit Iran-- arrived here in Mumbai from Tehran on Friday afternoon. Besides the passengers, there are 17 crew members in the aircraft. The aircraft has been parked at an isolated spot on the Mumbai Airport to avoid any contact with other passengers or flights.
“All the passengers would be shifted by an Indian Navy team to the naval quarantine facility at Navy Nagar in south Mumbai,” a senior government official said
It was not known immediately as to whether there were any passengers showing symptoms of Covid-19 on board the flight that arrived from Iran earlier in the afternoon.