MUMBAI: Amid concerns of nonstop surging COVID-19 cases in the state of Maharashtra which is consistently leading the all India tally of infections and deaths, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray led government which has been mulling some strict measures is now certain to implement a prolonged lockdown in a bid to break the chain of transmissions.  

Although in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra has seen a slight dip, the state has nevertheless reported 51,751 fresh COVID-19 cases and 258 related deaths on Monday. This compared to a day earlier on Sunday when more than 63,000 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.

Maharashtra cabinet minister Balasaheb Thorat today said that there was no other option but to impose a stricter lockdown however the final decision is likely to be taken immediately after the two days of very important festivals and public holidays for the state. 

Gudhi Padwa the spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus falls on Tuesday, April 13 and the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar will be observed on Wednesday, April 14.

"Although the government has already imposed night curfew and weekend lockdown in Mumbai and other cities, the measures have failed to curb the surge COVID-19 cases in the state, longer period of lockdown is the only option," Thorat said.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Sunday had also said that the situation in Maharashtra was such that the lockdown was required to break the COVID-19 virus chain and had added that the final decision will be taken after April 14. Tope said that the CM was scheduled to meet more stake holders like the industry bodies and farmers in the next two days.

Thackeray had chaired a marathon high-level meeting of the State COVID-19 Task Force on Sunday, April 11 and issues related to the availability of oxygen & hospital beds, use of Remdesivir, treatment protocols, increase in capacity of facilities, imposition of restrictions & fines for violating Covid protocols were discussed, however, announcement on lockdowns was deferred. 

After the COVID-19 Task Force meeting, Mumbai City Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh had said that the attendees of the meeting were of the view that a lockdown should be imposed for 2 weeks, and that some were even in favour of a 3-week long lockdown.