Ajit Pawar hints at mandatory use of face masks as COVID-19 cases rise

Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said that the use of face masks will have to be made mandatory if the spike continues. His statement came in the wake of Maharashtra recording 1,081 cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, the highest daily increase since February 24. On Tuesday, 711 cases were reported in the state.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Ajit Pawar said, “If the cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Maharashtra, the state government will take a decision to make masks mandatory. The government is monitoring it.” Discussed with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray about the situation of COVID-19 in the state.” The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that the state government has withdrawn the home delivery facility of liquor, as the COVID-19 cases have come down.

“We have withdrawn the home delivery facility of liquor, as the cases of COVID have come down. The facility was started as there was restriction on movement to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Now, the situation is under control and hence We have withdrawn the facility,” the ANI report quoted him as saying.

Expressing concern over the rising number of COVID affected patients, the Deputy CM said that the state government is aware of the situation and is analyzing it.

Notably, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that people should use face masks, vaccinate themselves and follow discipline if they do not want to experience strict COVID-19 restrictions again in the state. .

Addressing a meeting of the state Covid-19 task force, Thackeray said the state government would monitor the situation for a fortnight and tough decisions would need to be taken.

“If people don’t want restrictions again, they should follow self discipline. Use masks, follow physical distancing, sanitize and vaccinate,” PTI quoted him as saying. Notably, there was a seven-fold increase in COVID-19 cases in the last one and a half months.

Rajya Sabha elections will be through open ballot: Ajit Pawar

He also spoke about Shiv Sena’s prospects in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and said that the voting for the Rajya Sabha elections would be through open voting, hence, there was no question of anyone being involved in horse-trading.

Ajit Pawar further said, “According to the strength of the state assembly, BJP can get two seats, while Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena can get one seat each. Shiv Sena has fielded another candidate and NCP’s additional votes can be won. Will go. Other Shiv Sena candidates. Some independents are associated with Shiv Sena, some with BJP and some others from NCP. This is the reason for the speculation of horse-trading.”

Pawar said the NCP would approach the court to allow jailed party leaders – minister Nawab Malik and former home minister Anil Deshmukh – to cast their votes in the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections.

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