Complete lockdown in Maharashtra's Kolhapur for 10 days amid COVID spike

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, authorities on Tuesday (May 4) imposed a 10-day long lockdown in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. The latest retrictions will stay enforced till May 10.

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New Delhi: Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, authorities on Tuesday (May 4) imposed a 10-day long lockdown in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. The latest restrictions will stay enforced until May 10. Strict curbs will be imposed in Kolhapur along with Sangli and Satara districts of western Maharashtra amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, an official said on Tuesday. 

State Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil on Tuesday announced a strict eight-day lockdown in Sangli district from the midnight of May 5 in view of the rising number of COVID 19 cases. Patil, who is also the guardian minister of the district, said the region had recorded 1,568 COVID-19 cases and 40 casualties on Monday. There was no option, but to impose a complete lockdown to save lives, he said.

The administration in Kolhapur has imposed certain curbs for 10 days starting from 11 am on May 5 till May 13, an official said. The authorities have urged citizens not to step out of their homes unnecessarily and opt for home deliveries of essential commodities, he said.

According to government data, Kolhapur has been reporting at least 800-900 fresh cases of coronavirus almost every day with 25-40 daily fatalities since last few days. There has also been a great demand for oxygen and Remdesivir injection, used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the district and supplies of which has been facing many difficulties.

On Tuesday, the Kolhapur division reported 4,061 cases of coronavirus. 

Restrictions in Satara

Meanwhile, the administration in Satara district on Tuesday announced stricter restrictions for a week to contain the spread of coronavirus in the region. As per the fresh curbs, shops selling essential commodities such as milk, groceries, vegetables and fruits will remain closed and only home delivery of these items will be permitted. Under the earlier guidelines, shops selling essentials were allowed to operate from 7 am to 11 am in the district.

"In view of the rise in COVID-19 cases, a decision has been taken to make the lockdown stricter in the district. As per the new restrictions, shops selling essential commodities such as milk, groceries, vegetables and fruits will remain shut, and only home delivery of these items will be permitted till 11 pm," said Ramchandra Shinde, officiating collector, Satara district. The restrictions will remain in place in Satara till May 10, it was stated.

Shop owners selling essential commodities will have to obtain passes for delivery boys from the administration, the official said. Medical shops will remain open from 8 am to 8 pm, while chemists attached to hospitals will operate round the clock, he said. "Shops selling agriculture-related products will be allowed to remain open till 11 am," the official added.