CM Uddhav Thackeray to launch 'My family, my responsibility' initiative to tackle COVID-19

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday announced the 'My family, my responsibility' initiative to fight coronavirus in the state. The campaign will be launched on September 15. He asked people to be more responsible and support the state government in order to keep themselves and their friends and family safe from the infection.

"In Mumbai, we have implemented the formula 'Chase the Virus'. This means that we are reaching out to people before the virus reaches them. Now, we are launching the 'My family, my responsibility' initiative. With this, everyone needs to be responsible for their own ward. Instead of looking at a wider scale, everyone should take care of their own area, and eventually, the spread of coronavirus can be contained throughout the city," he said.

Under this campaign, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will reach out to every family residing in the financial capital and will provide medical help and guidance if needed.

Stating that the authorities have left no stone unturned to tackle the virus, he said, "When the first few coronavirus cases were identified in Maharastra, we had around 7,500 beds. But till date, we have added almost 3.5 lakh new beds, including those with ventilators. I agree we are facing a shortage of oxygen, but we are working towards that as well, and soon the problem will be solved. Medicines are also available in abundance."

Encouraging people to follow the basic precautions, Thackeray said, "I remember my mother asking me to wash my hands and feet and freshen up after returning home from outside. We all have been following these rules since childhood. Now during the pandemic, we have to follow these same rules and precautions, but a bit more seriously."

He also asked people to wear masks at all times and not take them off while talking or catching up with their friends or relatives.

Emphasising on the use of technology, Thackeray said, "Technology has evolved so much over the years. Order things online. Do not visit crowded places and markets. Do not touch things unnecessarily in the shops unnecessarily. Do not hold gatherings and congregations unnecessarily. We have the convenience of video conferencing. Carry out your meetings virtually. Even I am reaching out to each and every person in the state using the same technology."

While lodges and hotels have been allowed to resume with 100 per cent operations, restaurants and gyms are still prohibited to function fully. "People have met me regarding reopening restaurants and gyms. We are formulating a list of guidelines. As soon as they are ready to be implemented, people are good to open them following the rules. Do not sit face to face when in these restaurants. This is one way in which we can keep ourselves safe from getting exposed to the virus."

Urging people to stand together in the time of crisis, the CM said, "This is probably the most dangerous pandemic the world has seen till date. But we are still bravely fighting against it to keep our people safe. Now it is upon the people to take care of themselves. Such pandemics and infections might come in the future as well, but if the people of the state stand by each other, no disease can break our spirit."