Mumbai: Rajesh Tope, Health Minister on Monday said that the final decision on Maharashtra lockdown will be taken after April 14. Talking to media persons on Monday after a meeting of the COVID task force with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Tope asserted the situation in Maharashtra is such that the lockdown was required to break the virus chain.

Tope said, “Length of the lockdown and how to handle its economic result was discussed during the meeting. The task force is of the view that the dominant COVID-19 in the state is such that a lockdown is required.” He stated that the state was also planning to set up an oxygen plant considering the failing situation.

Also a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) read, "The number of patients is increasing so fast that if we do not decide on a lockdown today, a lockdown-like situation will automatically arise tomorrow. Today the situation is getting worse. We are also constantly considering COVID-19 task force experts in the state. On the one hand there is a public sentiment but on the other hand, there is an outbreak of coronavirus, in which case if you want to win this battle you have to go through some hardships.”

On Saturday, along with CM Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Health Minister Rajesh Tope, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Congress leader Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, Urban development Minister Eknath Shinde, LoP Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis, LoP Legislative Council Pravin Darekar, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, Health Secretary Pradeep Vyas, among others were present in the meeting. The meeting held on Saturday remained inconclusive.

Later on Sunday, CM Thackeray chaired a meeting with state’s task force to discuss the improvement of medical facilities and best use of available medical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, 51,751 new cases were reported in Maharashtra on Monday. On the positive front, 52,312 patients were recovered in 24 hours.

With this, total active caseload on Monday stood at 5,64,746. While the recovery rate in the state stands at 81.94 per cent. Maharashtra has already announced a set of new restrictions, in the forms of weekend lockdown, night curfew till April 30.