Pune: As the second wave of COVID-19 infection engulfs, Pune will undergo some strict restrictions to curtail the further spread, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said here on Friday. Shopping malls, theatres, bars and restaurants will remain shut for one week amid the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the district. However, restaurant's parcel and takeaway service will remain functional.
Also, schools, colleges and other educational institutes will remain shut till April 30. However, the exams that are scheduled will be conducted as per the timetable.
While to restrict the further spread, Pune will see the curfew between 6 pm to 6 am where there will be restrictions for travel. Though, enforcement of lockdown was opposed by public representatives of Pune, the district will see stringent measures to restrict the spread of infection.
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.
Members of Parliament including Girish Bapat, Dr Amol Kolhe, Vandana Chavan, Shrirang Barne, Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol, Pimpri Chinchwad Mayor Usha Dhore, Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, Commissioner of Police Amitabh Gupta, Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Krishna Prakash, District Health Officer as well as other senior officers from the administration, were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Pune district on Thursday recorded 8,011 new cases, the highest spike this year. Of the total cases, 4,103 new COVID cases were reported from Pune city (Pune Municipal Corporation) followed by 2,113 in Pimpri Chinchwad (Pimpri Chinchwad). While, rural area and Cantonment witnessed 1,272 and 132 fresh cases respectively. This has taken the active caseload to cross the grim mark of 64,000 in the district.
The district on Thursday also conducted 29,646 tests, record testing till date. Of the total, 20,681 tests were conducted in Pune city. Pune district also saw 65 deaths amid the infection on Thursday. On the positive front, 5,017 patients were recovered in past 24 hours.