The third wave of the coronavirus pandemic has started which will peak by January-end, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said. He also said that the 14-day quarantine period has been halved to seven days.

Tope`s remarks come on a day Maharashtra reported 33,470 new Covid-19 cases and eight fatalities. He appealed to the people to strictly follow the Covid-appropriate behaviour. "The third wave of the pandemic has started. It is expected to peak by January-end," Tope told reporters. He expressed concerns over many political leaders not adhering to the pandemic protocols despite the rise in cases in Maharashtra.