<p>Amid the spurt of Omicron cases, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday reprimanded legislators who were seen without face-masks even as he dropped indications of pan-India night restrictions to combat the spread of the new Covid-19 variant. </p>.<p>“We need to take things seriously. We do not want a lockdown again. We request everyone in the House also to please wear a mask,” Pawar told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. </p>.<p>“Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is very serious on the issue (of following Covid-19 protocols and Covid-appropriate-behaviour)….countrywide night curfew is being thought of at the highest levels,” said Pawar, the nephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/omicron-is-fastest-spreading-infectious-disease-known-to-man-says-expert-1063959.html">Omicron is fastest spreading infectious disease known to man, says expert</a></strong></p>.<p>During the intervention, Pawar drew the attention of Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and pointed out that many of the members in Treasury and Opposition benches were not wearing masks. </p>.<p>“I request opposition leaders to speak responsibly on this issue,” he said. </p>.<p>“If some members are feeling uncomfortable while speaking by wearing masks, they can remove it and use it again after their speech is over,’’ he said.</p>.<p>“The virus spread is quite serious. The number of cases abroad is doubling within one and half days’’ said Pawar, who is known to call a spade a spade. </p>.<p>“We do not want to impose a lockdown but people should also think,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Amid the spurt of Omicron cases, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday reprimanded legislators who were seen without face-masks even as he dropped indications of pan-India night restrictions to combat the spread of the new Covid-19 variant. </p>.<p>“We need to take things seriously. We do not want a lockdown again. We request everyone in the House also to please wear a mask,” Pawar told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. </p>.<p>“Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is very serious on the issue (of following Covid-19 protocols and Covid-appropriate-behaviour)….countrywide night curfew is being thought of at the highest levels,” said Pawar, the nephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/omicron-is-fastest-spreading-infectious-disease-known-to-man-says-expert-1063959.html">Omicron is fastest spreading infectious disease known to man, says expert</a></strong></p>.<p>During the intervention, Pawar drew the attention of Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and pointed out that many of the members in Treasury and Opposition benches were not wearing masks. </p>.<p>“I request opposition leaders to speak responsibly on this issue,” he said. </p>.<p>“If some members are feeling uncomfortable while speaking by wearing masks, they can remove it and use it again after their speech is over,’’ he said.</p>.<p>“The virus spread is quite serious. The number of cases abroad is doubling within one and half days’’ said Pawar, who is known to call a spade a spade. </p>.<p>“We do not want to impose a lockdown but people should also think,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
