A day after the state government in its unlock Level 5 order revealed that Pune’s positivity rate at 9.88% & oxygen bed occupancy at 10.90%, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the Guardian Minister of Pune, on Saturday has announced that weekend lockdown in the city will stay in place for substantial amount of time owning to the crowds seen in tourist places and markets.
“The weekend lockdown will continue for a while. People must be wondering why this decision has been taken. We have seen in last few days huge crowds at hill stations, tourist spots and markets. It’s beyond my understanding why citizens are behaving in this manner,” said Pawar.
He strongly defended the decision to re-impose a weekend lockdown saying that it has been taken keeping in mind the long-term welfare of the citizens, though it might face flak from citizens and businessmen. ‘’This decision has made people, especially the younger population unhappy. But seeing what is happening in developed countries, we will have to remain cautious and it’s our responsibility as the government to take these steps,” said Pawar.
‘’The police have been asked to step up their presence in city roads so that people do not violate rules. They have been asked to remain on roads to stop people from crowding tourist spots,’’ he said.
Pawar, who held a weekly review of the pandemic, said that Pune Municipal Corporation area will remain under Level II restrictions with weekend lockdowns, while areas under Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area and Pune Rural will continue with the Level III and Level IV restrictions respectively.
Pawar pointed out that developed countries like the United Kingdom and United States are going through a third wave of Covid-19 infections, and hence health experts have advised that the government should remain vigilant and adopt a cautious policy to avoid a damaging third wave in the state.
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