Nightclubs may soon be shut in Mumbai: Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh

Taking note of the rising coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, Mumbai Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh said on Tuesday that a decision on imposing restrictions or lockdown will soon be taken by local authorities.

“If the spike in COVID-19 cases continues, there is a possibility of night clubs being closed down first in the city. We cannot rule out the possibility of a night curfew or partial lockdown,” the minister said.

Shaikh also emphasised that people not wearing masks are being penalised. The statement comes at a time when the metropolis has been witnessing a daily spike of over 1,000 cases for the last few days. So far 3,34,583 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the city and the disease has caused 11,508 deaths, as per official figures.

“We may have to shut places like beaches and the Gateway of Indiawhere people gather in the evenings,” he said, while appealing to people to take all precautions.

“We have to see if we want to impose night curfew or close some establishments. But a decision has to be made soon. The chief minister held a meeting regarding the lockdown. It’s not possible to vaccinate the entire population so soon. Till then, we will have to control cases through restrictions,” said Aslam Shaikh.

Meanwhile, Thane administration on Tuesday imposed a complete lockdown in at 16 hotspots. The lockdown will be in place till March 31. Thane Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma said that the decision has been taken because of recent surge in the number of coronavirus cases in those areas.