Cops at 'Matoshree' to be tested for coronavirus infection

Mumbai, Apr 7 () Maharashtra Home Minister AnilDeshmukh on Tuesday said that police personnel deployed atChief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private residence'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra will be tested for coronavirusinfection, a day after owner of a tea stall near the bungalowtested positive.

Police personnel deployed at the bungalow will bequarantined and replaced as a precautionary measure, Deshmukhsaid.

"The policemen may have consumed tea from the stall.We will screen them and other staffers who were deployedthere," he said.

"We will quarantine them to contain the spread, incase they (the security personnel) have been infected," thehome minister told a news channel.

The tea vendor was admitted in Jogeshwari-based HBThospital for COVID-19.

However, it is not yet clear how the vendor, who staysinside his small shop, contracted the infection.

After the case was reported, civic officials on Mondaysprayed disinfectants in the area.

Meanwhile, Deshmukh also lambasted people who floutthe lockdown norms and step out of their homes for "frivolous"reasons, and warned strict action.

"We are keeping vigil. We have issued orders to seizevehicles and 4,000 vehicles have been seized till Monday," hesaid.

The home minister also asked people living incontainment zones not to panic and cooperate with the stategovernment by not stepping out of their homes. ENM ARUNSK NSK