Mumbai mayor hits the streets amid rising Covid-19 cases

Amid concerns of a Covid-19 spike, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar hit the streets of India’s financial capital to ensure that citizens wear masks, use sanitisers and maintain social distancing norms – in a bid to prevent another lockdown.

“I have hit the streets myself....we have to collectively ensure that the pandemic does not spread again,” Pedkenar said, adding that the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on its part is doing everything possible to ensure that Covid-19 is contained.

Read | Why Covid-19 cases are surging in Maharashtra

A grassroots Shiv Sainik and a good administrator, 58-year-old Pednekar was seen moving in streets, lanes and bylanes of Mumbai and also boarded local trains and inspected railway stations.

With folded hands, Pednekar, who was accompanied by municipal and police officials, was seen requesting people to wear masks. “The protocols, SOPs and directives are very clear...you have to wear masks, use sanitisers and maintain social distancing,” she said.

Read | 36 lakh using local trains daily in Mumbai since Feb 1

Pednekar also said that she has already registered for vaccination and would move around more freely.

According to her, only 40 per cent of the train commuters are using masks – posing a big risk that can take the situation out of hands.

Last April, when the Covid-19 cases were zooming in Mumbai, Pednekar, a former nurse, donned the uniform and boosted the confidence and morale of health care workers and nursing students.

Read | Follow Covid-19 protocols, SOPs or face another lockdown: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

A four-time corporator, she incidentally is a corporator form G/South Ward, which covers Worli, once one of the worst-affected areas of Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the BMC’s Ward Officers have started writing to chairpersons/secretaries of housing societies on the need to follow SOPs and the urgent measures that need to be taken – like whom to allow in and whom to not and the drill that needs to be followed in case if a positive patient is found in society.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray warned of a lockdown if people do not cooperate.

“There has been a rise in cases over the last few days,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani, who heads the Public Health Department.