CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray's address to the State:

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone across religious and caste lines for keeping their religious festivals and celebrations aside for a national duty and humanity.

The holy month of Ramzan has started from yesterday. I am appealing to my Muslim brethren. Co-operate with us like in the past and like those from other religious denominations. Please offer namaz at home and not on roads and Masjids.

Since all religious places are closed, we often ask, where is God? God is in us, in the doctors and medical staff, police, conservancy workers and government staff which is working round-the-clock.

God is helping us through them. The biggest act of devotion is by respecting him through respecting them.

Unfortunately, two police constables lost their lives to COVID. My deepest condolences on the behalf of Maharashtra Government and the people of Maharashtra.

My request to all is when something adverse happens suddenly, there are cries for action against the police. But, bear in mind that the police are working for us, round-the-clock, after sacrificing their family life.

These two policemen lost their lives to Corona in the line of their duty while fighting for us. We will do all that we can for their families.

The lockdown has some advantages. Up to an extent, it has helped slow down the spread of the virus which would have otherwise multiplied like it happened in other countries.

To end this lockdown soon and counter this threat, we have formed a task force of expert doctors and a study group of economic experts to look into these issues. The Boston Consulting Group is also helping.

We get in touch as soon as we know about any vaccine being invented anywhere in the world or about any solution to the problem. We are not leaving any stone unturned.

This virus does not see caste, creed, religion or politics. We have to keep it aside for the greater good of Humanity.

If we play politics now, we need no other enemy.Power comes and goes, but lost lives cannot be reclaimed. No one should play dirty politics in times like these

Gadkari ji, I would like to thank you because some were trying to vitiate the environment in this time of excellent Centre-State coordination. You advised everyone to keep politics away during this crisis and stand firmly by the Maharashtra Government. Thank you for this.

Last time, I spoke about the migrant workers who wanted to return home. Talks are on and we will soon arrive at a solution. But train services will not start. There must be no crowds.If there are crowds, restrictions will be reimposed. Whenever possible,we will send everyone home

States like Maharashtra, UP & Bihar will help each other in this exchange. We are coordinating to bring back students from Kota and talks are on with Chief Ministers of other States and the Central Government.

A solution will be found soon. But, this will be done gradually as crowds will spoil things and lead to a loss of our present gains.

We have, so far, not received dal from the Centre. Only rice has been received for distribution under the National Food Security Scheme. We also need wheat and dal. We have started distributing subsidized PDS grain to saffron card holders.

The Central team is here for a week in Mumbai and Pune. I asked the Central team for an independent assessment, and about any lacunae and what can be done further. We want to overcome the crisis soon.

There are questions about what will happen after the lockdown ends on May 3rd. Since April 20, we have gradually eased restrictions at some places. In Mumbai, this led to crowds which we cannot afford.

The virus has to be completely destroyed. Its spread has been slowed, but it is a game of patience. The virus wants us to let our guard down.

80% cases are asymptomatic, but the other 20% may have mild, severe or very severe symptoms.

We are not opening district borders in rural Maharashtra but gradually easing restrictions within districts to allow economic activity to resume. I am receiving daily reports. I will hold a review today evening and decide on further relaxations from 3rd May onwards.

The concept of Herd Immunity has not been proven, so far. People in the high risk group-with diabetes, cardiac problems, obesity, kidney ailments must be taken care of, as the virus affects them severely.

They must take care, control their diet, exercise at home, and approach the fever clinic as soon as they show symptoms. Do not ignore symptoms or self-medicate. We have three categories of fever clinics- COVID, non-COVID and Primary.

It is not as if Corona is the end of an individual. There are senior citizens in their 80s and even above, and also few month old infants who have been cured. But, they must report to medical facilities soon. Though Corona has no medicine, adequate precautions are a cure.

Non-COVID cases are suffering. I will again request the private medical practitioners to resume their practice. Some have started but dialysis centres must start. Those with cancer and cardiac problems need timely treatment. Please reopen your clinics, hospitals.

The government will do everything possible to help those who want to start their facilities.

We are preparing open grounds like Goregaon Exhibition Centre and NSCI in Worli for isolation facilities, in case the number of patients rises. But, the number of containment zones in the hotspots are coming down. The Central team has lauded the handling of the crisis at Worli.

Maharashtra has conducted 1,08,972 tests until a few hours ago, and 1,01,162 samples are negative while 7,628 are positive and unfortunately 323 deaths have occurred.

Patient numbers are fluctuating. But, in areas like Dharavi where cases have come to light, positive cases are increasing in those who came in close contact with other patients. But 70-80% are asymptomatic cases and have been quarantined and are discharged when they test negative

For farmers, we have restarted cotton procurement centres. We are looking at doorstep delivery of fruits and there is no restriction on their transport. There will be no restriction on transport of agricultural commodities.

Some industries have been allowed to restart in some districts and we will see to what we can be done after the 30th.

I understand that you must be bored sitting at home but there is no option at present. We will have a video-conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji tomorrow and I will put forth some proposals before him.

The Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji & HM Amit Shah ji keep in touch telephonically. Our cooperation is good.

We have been permitted plasma therapy and the use of BCG vaccine since yesterday.

We are doing all that we can in terms of experiments, treatment and for not letting the patient count rise.

Voluntary groups are helping us. We serve over 1 lakh Shiv Bhojan thalis, and we are feeding 5.5-6 lakh migrant workers thrice daily. I want to specially mention industrialists like Tata, Reliance, Wipro, Mahindra, Birla, Essar, who are helping us in their own way.

We are fighting a tough battle and have managed to slow the spread of the virus. The world is praising the people of Hindustan.

I keep reading international news and it is said that India will win this fight not on medication but before a vaccine is found, on the basis of confidence and courage. I believe in this.

I am confident that we shall prevail. We are fighting this battle on the strength of your courage. Your precautions, patience and blessings are helping me and my colleagues from the State Cabinet fight this battle. It is our strength.

Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra!