- The total number of cases in Mumbai currently stands at eight after two women tested positive for Coronavirus.
- The total number of infected people in Maharashtra surges to 47.
- The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai started imposing a hefty fine of ₹ 1,000 for people found spitting in public.
One woman had returned from the UK, and another one had a travel history to Dubai. The total number of cases in Mumbai currently stands at 8.
India saw a steep rise in the number of infected cases after 28 new cases were reported from 10 states on Wednesday (March 18), taking the total number of infected people to 184.
Maha government setups more quarantine facilities
With the number of coronavirus cases touching 47 in the state, Maharashtra's anti-coronavirus battle became even fiercer with more testing and quarantine facilities. This is besides the all-out efforts implemented to avoid the challenge of keeping the crowd at bay in public areas and at workplaces.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced that from Thursday, additional coronavirus testing labs would start operating at KEM Hospital and Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai and BJ Medical College in Pune. In the next few days, a total of eight more laboratories shall be opened, including at Haffkine Institute in Mumbai. They will test around 250 samples daily.
In Mumbai, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) permitted several private hospitals to start isolation wards with 88 beds. They include Hinduja Hospital (20), Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (17 beds), Lilavati (15), Raheja (12), Jagjivan Ram WR (10), Jaslok (5), Bombay Hospital (4), HN Reliance (2), Gurunanak (2) and St. Elizabeth (2).
After BMC, MCGM orders closing of businesses
The Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), Pravin Pardeshi, ordered shutting of all shops, business establishments etc. on alternate days to reduce crowds.
The order will be implemented after the concerned ward heads submit details to the MCGM.
After making repeated appeals for 'work from home', the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has now warned of punitive action against those private companies which fail to implement 50% staff norms or disallow work from home.
CM Thackeray makes some strict decision Mumbai local trains and retail shops
CM Uddhav Thackeray said that the number of suburban trains and buses would be reduced, standees won't be permitted and those seating would be kept at a safe distance as precautionary measures.
Thackeray urged 17 million people of Mumbai and nearly 12 crore population of Maharashtra, not to panic or stock up essentials as there is sufficient supply.
However, Thackeray said the government plans to implement shift hours for retail shops/markets in different urban localities.
Mumbaikars go on self-quarantine
Mumbai and Pune — the two worst-hit cities with maximum Coronavirus cases — has visibly reduced commuters in trains and buses. However, the number of private vehicles on roads and highways hasn't shown a noticeable decline so far.
All beaches in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg are near-deserted. Prominent hill stations in the Western Ghats, resorts, wildlife sanctuaries, tourist destinations also run almost empty.
All major places of worship like temples, churches, mosques-mausoleums and gurdwaras have shut their doors for devotees. A few religious organisations and sects are offering online prayers, namaz etc. to keep crowds and the virus away.
The state already elapsed into the partial shutdown with all schools, colleges, malls, theatres, cinemas, gyms and swimming pools closed till March 31.
Mumbai crackdown on black marketers with a hefty fine
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the Minister for Food & Civil Supplies, Rajendra Shingane, swooped on pharmacies after complaints of black marketeering of masks, sanitisers etc.
He issued instructions to deal with such wilful offenders in the sternest manner. The MCGM started imposing a hefty fine of ₹ 1,000 for people found spitting in public. At the same time, the Bhiwandi Police in Thane slapped a case against Arihant Mattresses for making false claims of 'anti-coronavirus' beddings.
Actions are also being initiated at various levels against those spreading fake messages on social media. Local organisations, like the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi legislators — the father-son duo of Hitendra and Kshitij Thakur— are distributing masks among bus passengers in Palghar and disinfecting all public buses for public safety.
(with inputs from IANS)