Amid a massive surge in both novel coronavirus cases and deaths in the state, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that the lockdown in Maharashtra will be extended by another 15 days beyond April 30.
“All members of the Maharashtra Cabinet are of the opinion that current COVID19 restrictions should be extended for the next 15 days,” Tope told reporters.
The decision came after the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray chaired the cabinet meeting to review the pandemic situation.
Furthermore, he said that the state will give free vaccination to all in the 18-44 age group however, the will not roll out vaccination for this age group from May 1 due to shortage of vaccines. It would now only happen after May 20.
“We have all the infrastructure to conduct vaccination but we don’t have vaccines in adequate quantities. The CM is talking to different vaccine manufacturers. There will be separate centres for vaccination of those between 18-44 years of age,” said Tope.
Earlier, The state had imposed additional restrictions and had reintroduced e-passes for inter-district and inter-state movements.
The state reported over 66,358 new cases today, taking the tally to 44,100,85, according to the health bulletin.
