Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced that Shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to stay open 24 hours of the day. <br />''<br />''The Chief Minister's Office statement said that the decision was taken to prevent crowding at shops and marketplaces amid the lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic. <br />''<br />''It said that Thackeray held discussions with senior officials who are in charge of special control room for coronavirus set up at the Mantralaya or the state secretariat about how to ensure smooth supply of essential goods earlier in the day. With 5 deaths and 125 coronavirus cases, Maharashtra is, highest in the country in COVID-19 outbreak.     <br />