Thane, KDMC & MBMC areas declare 10-day total lockdown

MUMBAI/THANE/KALYAN: Amid spikes in Covid-19 cases, the civic administrations in Mira-Bhayander, Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli announced 10-day total lockdowns. While the lockdown in Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) areas is from July 1-10 and kicks in at 5 pm on Wednesday, the other two civic bodies have declared a shutdown from July 2-12.
In MBMC areas, all market places and shops selling essentials as well as non-essentials will remain shut.Milk and dairy products will be available between 5 am and 10 am, while medical shops will be open between 9 am and 5 pm. This is in addition to the 24-hour medical shops that will remain open. Home delivery of liquor has been allowed. Weddings with a maximum of 50 people can be held, but with prior permission. Petrol pumps and banks will function.
Mira Bhayander has witnessed a massive spike in cases in a month. From 699 cases and 13 deaths on June 1, the region has 2,466 new cases and a death toll of 142 on June 29. The soaring tally has been blamed on inadequate testing and low contact tracing.
Meanwhile, the lockdown in Thane comes a day after a flipflop on the decision which plunged the city into chaos. The city reported 266 new cases on Tuesday taking the virus tally to 8,772. For a second day in a row, there were 15 deaths, putting the toll at 307.
During the lockdown starting 7am Thursday, all commercial establishments will be shut. Liquor can be home delivered. Dairies and grocery shops will operate at specific timings. Essential services staff, however, can go to work. Marriage ceremonies have been exempted, though there is a cap of 50 people. Public transport will be prohibited. No pillion riders will be allowed on bikes, while cars can have two occupants, including the driver.
In Kalyan-Dombivli, which has turned into a hotbed of the virus, the administration has permitted only home delivery of essential items between 7 am and 5 pm, while medical shops can remain open throughout day.
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Tuesday recorded the single day highest tally in Thane district with 462 cases. Seven patients have died in the last 24 hours. The total case count is 6,575, including 120 deaths.