The world is battling from Covid-19 pandemic which has claimed more than 10,000 lives worldwide. Italy and China are the worst affected countries. India too is untouched with the epidemic as the total number of deaths registered due to Coronavirus is 4 while the number of infections has reached up to 223.
Responding to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, Honorary Prime Minister Narendra Modi call for ‘Janata Curfew’ on 22nd March 2020, and also asked the respective states to do their bit for prevention of Coronavirus.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday has announced a lockdown of all non-essential shops and offices in Mumbai, MMR region, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nagpur till 31st March. The announcement came after three new cases of coronavirus emerged in the state. The Chief Minister added that employees of all offices will have to work from home and the government offices will operate with 25% attendance.
In respond to the announcement CM Uddhav Thackeray, LMAI, Labels Manufacturers Association of India request for an exemption from the lockdown for Labels and Packaging industries for a certain period of time since the industries is an important part of the supply chain of Pharma and Food industry and due to lockdown all the manufacturing activities of the packaging industries will be stopped and will result into scarcity to essential supplies.
As per the association, it is a critical time, and the decision of lockdown is currently seems to be the only solution to fight against the Coronavirus however in such situation, country will still require essential FMCG items, food and medicine products and hence we request the authorizes to allow functioning the packaging manufacturing unit for a certain period of time.
Mr.Kuldip Goel, President of LMAI, said, “In this hour of crisis which is across the globe, LMAI welcomes the steps taken by the Maharashtra government and fully support it. But in order to serve the citizens of our country efficiently we request the government to grant some exemption to members of our association. Printing and Packaging is the most essential element of Pharma and Packaged Food products.”
