Mumbai: Amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday directed the restaurants, cafes and bars to follow all mandatory COVID-19 norms and not force the authorities to impose lockdown in the state.

"Do not force us to enforce a lockdown. Follow all the norms and consider this as the last warning. One must know that there is a difference between self-discipline and restrictions," said CM Thackeray while addressing representatives of hotel and restaurant associations at a virtual meet. The meeting was chaired after the reports of many shopping malls and hotels had failed to follow the Covid-19 guidelines.

Hotels and restaurants are major places for refreshments and the rules here were being followed in initial days, Maharashtra CM Thackeray said adding that rules now being violated especially in maintaining social distance and adhering to the use of face masks.

The Shiv Sena leader recently also hinted of a lockdown in some regions of Maharashtra. Giving slogan of “wear masks, say no to lockdown”, the CM stated that almost 7,000 daily cases are worrying and it would be clear in a fortnight if the state is witnessing a second wave.

Meanwhile, on Saturday Maharashtra reported more than 15,000 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, which is one of the highest in India ever. The total caseload in the state stood at 22,97,793, while the death toll reached 52,811.