Mumbai locals, will stop carrying the general public from (March 22) due to  the coronavirus pandemic.

The railway network, which serves Mumbai and its adjacent urban regions , will serve only those providing essential services, besides government employees. The restriction will be in place till March 31.

Those who are traveling by local train to reach railway terminus for boarding a long-distance train will also be allowed on inspection of their journey tickets.

Earlier, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope had said the government would be compelled to shut down the local train services and other modes of public transport if crowds did not thin.

Maharashtra has recorded 64 cases of coronavirus so far, including 19 in Mumbai.