Maharashtra No ‘Unlock’: Government Says No Relaxation Of Lockdown-Like Curbs Anywhere Yet After Congress Minister's Unlock Announcement

Maharashtra government on June 3 evening clarified that the existing restrictions on account of Covid-19 have not been lifted anywhere, contrary to the announcement made by minister Vijay Wadettiwar. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government faced major embarrassment as the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said relaxation of restrictions as per the situation in different areas is only under consideration & no decision has been taken. An announcement of unlocking in 18 districts was earlier made by the Relief and Rehabilitation Minister of the state, Vijay Wadettiwar. Congress minister Wadettiwar had said the state government has taken a decision to unlock in five phases. He had said that districts where the positivity rate is below 5% will not have restrictions anymore. However, Chief Minister Thackeray immediately clarified that there had been no such development and issued a note saying that districts where the positivity rate is below 5 per cent will continue to be under restrictions. Wadettiwar, minister for Disaster Management, later said only "in principle" approval to phasing out of restrictions was given, but no decision has been taken. Maharashtra reported 15,169 cases and 285 deaths in the last 24 hours.