In response to the Prime Minister’s tweet about mass gatherings in the face of the Covid-19 outbreak, Maharashtra health Minister Rajesh Tope told India Today on Wednesday, One should definitely play Holi. There is no problem in playing Holi and there is no need for the people of Maharashtra to panic. The state government has taken all the precautions.

The Maharashtra health minister also said that the state government is fully geared to face the challenges and is coordinating with various agencies on the issue. Rajesh Tope added that more than 65,000 passengers have been screened at the Mumbai International Airport in recent days. When asked about the complaints raised by several passengers about screening not being done in a proper manner, the minister assured people that he would visit the airport to take stock of the situation.

Rajesh Tope agreed that there were some traders who were selling protection masks for more than the market price in a bid to take advantage of the situation. But I want to say that there is a law in place. To all those who fleece people by selling the masks above the market price will face action as well, Rajesh Tope said.

Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2020

Maharashtra has not had a single confirmed case of the coronavirus as of yet. There are facilities in place in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune for the tests which will lessen the burden on National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune.

NCP leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad reacted sharply to PM’s tweet. When asked if he too would stop playing Holi considering the coronavirus scare, Jitendra Awhad said, Why should I follow what Modi says? I will play Holi for sure. I am taking basic precautions of handwashing.

Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab too said he would not stop playing Holi and said he too was following the basic hand hygiene processes. But senior Congress leader Ashok Chawan seemed to refuse a handshake in the assembly. He told India Today, From now onward, it will be Namaste for me. No handshake. Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, however, was seen distributing cardamom in a playful manner and said there was no need to get worried.