MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday asked the state Covid-19 task force — which was appointed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government — to continue the work of monitoring the situation and advising the administration about steps to control the pandemic.
Shinde spoke to Dr Oak on Wednesday morning and briefly discussed the situation of the pandemic in the state and also gave a directive.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty over the pediatric task force continues as the members had tendered their resignations after the MVA collapsed and they are yet to hear from the new government.
When contacted, pediatric task force chairperson Dr Suhas Prabhu said he hadn't heard from the government so far.
"I sent my resignation because I felt the new government should have the freedom to decide whether it wants to continue with the old pediatric task force or set up a new committee. It was an ethical step to facilitate the process," he said.
At present, the pediatric task force is in a limbo.
"I have sent my resignation but it hasn't yet been accepted by the government. And because I have resigned, I cannot call for meetings on Tuesdays," he added.
Then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had set up the task force when the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020 to advise the state government about handling the situation.
Months later a pediatric task force was also set up to give specific inputs on the steps to be taken to keep children safe.
Both the task forces gave inputs at policy level for adding restrictions and even giving relaxations.
The pediatric task force played a key role in urging the government to reopen physical schools and drawing up safety protocols.
