Mumbai: BMC closes Oval Maidan from 26 Feb due to rise in COVID-19 cases

Amid surge of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials have decided to shut the iconic Oval Maidan here from Friday, said Chanda Jadhav, BMC Assistant municipal commissioner.

No sports or other activities will be allowed at the ground in south Mumbai till further orders, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said.

"We have decided to shut the ground till further order as a preventive measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus," assistant municipal commissioner of the BMC''s A-ward, Chanda Jadhav, said on Thursday.

The ground frequently witnesses cricket and football matches during weekends. A number of walkers and joggers also visit the ground every day.

Mumbai on Wednesday saw a three-month high in daily Covid-19 cases. It reported 1,167 new infections, the highest in 119 days. After the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in February, BMC has intensified its drive against citizens moving out without masks and large social gatherings.

BMC to close the iconic Oval Maidan from tomorrow, 26th February due to rise in #COVID19 cases in Mumbai: Chanda Jadhav, BMC Assistant municipal commissioner

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2021