Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray earlier in the dayannounced extending the lockdown in the state till April 30.
The nationwide lockdown announced by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on March 24 to fight the coronavirus outbreakends on April 14.
"The lockdown has been extended in the state given thespread of coronavirus and rise in number of patients. Peopleshould support this step," Pawar urged in a statement.
He said housing societies and areas are being sealedwhere the coronavirus infection is reported in large numbersand claimed such decisions were a must to save lives.
"We may not extend the lockdown again, if this(extended) lockdown succeeds. Let everyone from the state becommitted to defeat coronavirus," he added.
Meanwhile, Pawar extended wishes on the eve of Easter,and urged people to celebrate the festival staying insidehomes in view of the COVID-19 threat. ENMBNM BNM