'Ongoing lockdown may be lifted in phases,' says Maharashtra health minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Saturday said the government was considering relaxation of the ongoing lockdown for containment of coronavirus in phases.  Earlier in the day, he had said the state government may not lift lockdown on April 14 if people did not observe discipline and the number of COVID-19 cases kept rising.

"Discussion is on about whether the lockdown can be relaxed in phases. Strict rules will have to be followed in the containment zones," Tope said in a live webcast later. The minister also urged people to take steps to boost immunity. "Eat well and exercise indoors," he said.

"Many ayurveda practitioners want to recommend treatment for coronavirus. They should post whatever information they have about alternative medicine onthe AYUSH portal," Tope added.

Earlier in the day, Tope had said that "people must strictly observe discipline", otherwise "there will be no other alternative left and the lockdown will have to be extended."

In any case, lockdown will have to be lifted in phases as "not all the people can be allowed to come on to the streets at one go", the health minister had stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the 21-day lockdown in the country to combat the spread of the coronavirus on March 24. The number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra rose by 47 on Saturday, taking the tally to 537. Twenty-six people have died due to the disease in the state till now.