Pune: Schools, colleges and other educational institutes in Pune will remain shut till April 30, said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar here on Friday.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar who is also the Guardian Minister of Pune chaired a weekly review meeting on Friday to take the stock of COVID-19 situation in Pune. “Pune will not impose lockdown but strict restrictions will be imposed if people fail to follow COVID-19 norms. I appeal all people of Pune to follow all COVID-19 norms and decision about the lockdown on the same will be taken on April 2,” said Ajit Pawar.

Also, the district administration has enforced certain limitations on the private, public functions such as wedding. During media briefing, Ajit Pawar said, “The situation is serious from past few days here. Thus, I request all public representatives including MPs, MLAs, Corporators, ZP members not to conduct any private functions from April 1. Only 50 people will be allowed to attend the wedding while only 20 are permitted at funerals.”

Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol, Pimpri Chinchwad Mayor Usha Dhore, Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, Commissioner of Police Amitabh Gupta, Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Krishna Prakash, as well as senior officers from the administration, were present at the meeting.

Overall, Pune has been witnessing a sharp increase in coronavirus in recent days. The district reported 6,432 new cases on Thursday, taking the overall count to 4,92,694. Of the 6,432 total cases, Pune city (Pune Municipal Corporation) witnessed 3,286 new cases on Thursday followed by 1,811 in Pimpri Chinchwad (Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation).