Essential services will remain accessible: Uddhav

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday night appealed to citizens not to panic over the nationwide lockdown announced by the Centre in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, saying there is enough foodgrain stock in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Tuesday midnight, asserting that unless India's 130 crore people practice social distancing, the country will lose the war against coronavirus outbreak and slide back 21 years.

"There is enough foodgrain stock and I appeal to people not to pile up stocks," Thackeray said in his live address on social media.

Maharashtra, which has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases (107) among states so far, is already under lockdown and the PM's announcement means extension of the drastic measure in the state.

The CM said he spoke to Modi after the announcement of national lockdown, made in his second broadcast in a week on the pandemic, and shared his assessment that the coronavirus situation is serious.

Thackeray said like others his heart also skipped a beat when the PM announced that no one should step out of their homes during the lockdown.

However, after speaking to Modi post the address, he realised that essential services will remain accessible to people during the lockdown period as is the case in Maharashtra, Thackeray said.

"Like everyone, my heart also skipped a beat after the PM's announcement. But I spoke to PM and told him Maharashtra was already under lockdown since the last two days.

"Essential services will continue to be available and people should not have any misunderstanding or confusion regarding this. Medical shops and pharma companies will continue to function as usual," Thackeray said.

"As the PM said, the problem is serious and people should understand that to remain safe we need to stay in our homes. If we come out, the virus will come in our homes," the chief minister said.

In a tweet, Thackeray said, 'Whatever measures the state government has already announced will continue. Essential services will continue to function. Don't panic and get confused...don't come on the streets and crowd markets and shops.'

Nothing changes for our state, says Aaditya Thackeray

Maharashtra Tourism Minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic as the state continued to top in the number of coronavirus cases and remained under lockdown.

Aaditya Thackeray, son of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, said essential services will remain unaffected.

'For our state, nothing changes. CM Uddhav Thackeray ji locked down Maharashtra stepwise over the last two weeks, complete lock down since yesterday,' Aaditya Thackeray said in a tweet.

'CM also spoke to PM right now, essential services will be on as they have been since yesterday...don't panic,' he said.

Mumbai police issues helpline for vehicles carrying essentials

To ensure smooth movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities during lockdown, Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday set up a 'Corona Traffic Helpline'.

If a vehicle engaged in transportation of essential commodities or provision of essential services faces any hurdle, traffic police can be contacted at 022-24937747 and 24937755, an official said.

Mumbai Police said the lockdown will not affect supply of essential items and asked people not to panic, even as queues were seen outside shops across the metropolis.

Essential services and shops selling essential commodities will remain open, and there is no need to panic and rush to shops now, said a spokesperson of Mumbai police.

Be asked people to dial police helpline number 100 for queries or help or reach out on its official @Mumbaipolice Twitter handle.

'People need not worry. The supply chain will continue,' he said.