Lockdown in Maharashtra only if daily oxygen demand touches 800 MT: Minister

The state government has banned assembly of more than five persons in public places between 9 pm to 6 am

People visit Juhu beach during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Mumbai. Credit: Reuters Photo

Amid rising Covid-19 cases and the threat of Omicron spread, Maharashtra’s public health and family welfare minister Rajesh Tope said that the government would think of a lockdown in case the demand for medical oxygen touches 800 metric tonnes per day.

“There will be a statewide lockdown only if the demand for medical oxygen rises to 800 metric tonnes per day," Tope said on the day when fresh restrictions came into force in the state.

Also read: Bommai to decide on night curfew, other curbs in key Omicron meeting on December 26

"Omicron cases were increasing rapidly, however, such patients were not ending up in ICU nor did they need supplemental oxygen, Tope said in his hometown of Jalna.

"We do not want people to face more restrictions, therefore I am making an appeal to people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. Wearing a mask is very important,” he said and also appealed to people to get vaccinated.

The oxygen-producing capacity in the state is 1,250 MT around the second wave, which has been scaled up.

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