Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Declares Cinema Halls, Malls, Public Swimming Pools & Gyms Across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Will Remain Closed Until Further Notice.
Starting from midnight today, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, will be invoked in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday. The decision was taken to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, in which the state has seen over 15 positive cases.
Public swimming pools, gyms, and cinema halls across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, will remain closed until further notice. Thackeray further declared the coronavirus as an epidemic in five cities — Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
Although malls, cinema malls among other public spaces have been closed, Thackeray said that the government cannot shut down modes of transport such as buses and railways, but has advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
While schools have been shut down in Pune and Mumbai, Thackeray also added, “The state government is urging all private sector companies and employers to allow Work From Home wherever possible.”
Maharashtra has currently registered 17 positive cases in the state. Those returning from China, South Korea, France, Spain and Iran will be quarantined. Thackeray stated that the next 15 days are important