The seven districts of Maharashtra where the Delta Plus variant was found were put on high alert on Thursday. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked district collectors to not ease restrictions anytime soon, but to decide strict curbs considering the risk factors. Reminding them of the crisis during the second wave, he told the health department to prepare for providing adequate oxygen supply and ICU beds across the state.

Cops drive away people at Bandstand, Bandra, on Wednesday, as part of Covid-19 related curbs. Pic/Shadab Khan