Mumbai: Another lockdown likely if people continue to flout COVID-19 rules, says Mayor Kishori Pednekar

Passengers at a railway station in Mumbai. Pic/AFP

Amid surge in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Tuesday said whether the city will go into lockdown once again would depend on the people.

"It is a matter of concern. Most people travelling in trains do not wear masks. People must take precautions or else we did head towards another lockdown," said Kishori Pednekar.

"Whether lockdown will be implemented again is in the hands of people," she added.

On Monday, Mumbai reported 493 COVID-19 cases, the second time in five days that the daily addition to the tally has been less than 500. The caseload of India's financial capital reached 3,14,569, while three deaths took the toll to 11,420.

Incidentally, on Sunday, the number of people detected with the infection was 645, the highest in the last five days. The case doubling time is 455 days now, while it was 555 on February 10.

Describing as "alarming" the rise in fresh COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Monday warned of taking some "harsh decisions" and asked people to be prepared.

He expressed displeasure over people not following the pandemic-appropriate behaviour and violating guidelines. "I have come across (reports that) people are not following the COVID-19 guidelines which are aimed at checking the spread of the infection. If the situation worsens, we may need to pay heavy cost for this carelessness. The number (of new cases in the state) is alarming. We have seen that lockdown was imposed in many parts of the world again in view of the second wave of the pandemic," he said.

"Harsh decisions can be taken and the people should remain prepared. If certain decisions are not taken in time then we will have to pay a heavy cost later," he added.

A meeting has been convened by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Tuesday to take stock of the situation, he further said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the "3T formula" of tracing, testing and treatment will have to be implemented strictly to curb the COVID-19 spread.