Mumbai: New restrictions imposed as covid-19 cases continue to mount

New Delhi: New curbs have been introduced in Mumbai as infection of novel coronavirus continues to spread in the city at an alarming rate. For last one week, the cases have reported an upward streak, logging over 736 cases on Thursday with the state's total daily tally mounting to 5,000. 

According to an order released by Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal , citizens flouting rules for home isolation, weddings and public gatherings will now be prosecuted. Meanwhile, restrictions have been put in place in Amravati, which has been under lockdown over a week, along with Yavatmal.

300 marshals will be deployed across the city to take action against those traveling without mask in suburban railways, the order said while adding that the aim is to catch 25,000 defaulters everyday.  

Public gatherings such as marriages and places including restaurants, clubs will be raided to check if covid-19 appropriate behaviour is being maintained.  If anyone is found to be downplaying the Standard Operating Procedures released by the health ministry, prosecution will be handed over instantly. 

Buildings with more than 5 covid-19 patients will be sealed and patients who are advised home quarantine after testing positive for the virus will have their hands stamped, the order added.  

Passengers coming from Brazil, where the new covid variant has been found, will be put under Institutional quarantine, the BMC said. 

All the aforementioned measures will be carried out in line with increased number of cases that have been reported in the past one week, the civic body added.

Earlier, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar had traveled in train to urge people to wear mask and ensure proper social distancing. She had said that a lockdown could be imposed in Mumbai if citizen fails to curb the infection. 

 "It's a matter of concern. Most people travelling in trains don't wear masks. People must take precautions or we will head towards another lockdown,"  she said.