On Friday morning, we received a WhatsApp forward of a picture of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray delivering a speech. The picture also had the logo of TV9 news channel, suggesting one of two things: the channel had made a blunder or someone who edited this image has extraordinary photoshop skills.
The forward claimed that wine shops across Maharashtra will be open between 3 pm and 4 pm, something that excited a number of people who have been wondering how they will manage their alcohol consumption during the 21-day coronavirus lockdown.
The WhatsApp forward doing the rounds |
However, this forward has turned out to be a fake, as alcohol is not considered an essential commodity in Maharashtra. Our reporter Sanjay Jog even confirmed the same with the authorities.
Unlike Kerala, where wine shops will remain open during the lockdown, Maharashtra has already released its list of essential commodities that CM Uddhav Thackeray has said will remain open for 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now decided to start separate dedicated hospitals for women who are affected with COVID-19.
This comes after the city reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in the state. Currently, the total number of positive cases reported in Maharashtra has increased to 125, of which 44 reported in Mumbai.
Suresh Kakani, Additional Municipal Commissioner, health, BMC, said they have directed all their officials to identify hospitals which should be next to maternity homes. “It will be a dedicated hospital for women affected with coronavirus and it will be near a maternity home which will benefit women,” he said.Fake news alert: Will alcohol stores be open between 3 pm and 4 pm every day? WhatsApp forward suggests otherwise
