Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday announced that the present lockdown-like restrictions in the state valid till June 1 will be extended by a fortnight, adding there may be certain relaxations. The daily coronavirus cases in Maharashtra are on the decline but these numbers are close to last year’s peak levels, Thackeray said. Addressing people of the state through social media, Thackeray asked them not to let their guard down while bracing for the third wave of the pandemic. “Even though patient numbers are dropping, we are still at the levels of last year’s peak,” he said.
Thackeray also announced welfare packages for various sections of the society. The “Majha doctor” initiative of the state government will help reach out to family doctors to avoid overmedication and hospitalisation of asymptomatic cases, Thackeray announced. “There is a difference between the COVID-19 virus variant between last time and this time. It is more virulent now, spreading fast and taking longer for the patient to recover,” he warned the people.
“We also have another devil to deal with: black fungus. We have 3,000 cases of mucormycosis in the state. The coronavirus task force is keeping track,” he said.
Municipal Corporation areas of Greater Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, New Mumbai, Kalyan Dombivali, Vasai-Virar, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Nashik (all municipal corporation areas with population of more than a million as per 2011 census) shall be considered as separate administrative units, within the respective territorial jurisdiction of local Disaster Management Authorities of districts for the purposes of restrictions that are placed for the purposes of breaking the chain and stopping spread of Corona Virus. Rest of the area within the jurisdiction of respective local Disaster Management Authority will form a single separate administrative unit for the purpose.
Here’s the list of restrictions being imposed in Maharashtra:
Restrictions in Districts With Positivity Rate Above 10%:
In administrative units mentioned above, where the positivity rate is equal to or less than 10 per cent and the occupancy of total oxygen beds available therein is less than 40 per cent, following relaxations to the orders dated May 12, 2021(and any clarifications/additions thereof) shall be applicable:
- All essential shops that are currently allowed to operate between 7 AM and 11 AM may be allowed to operate between 7 AM and 2 PM.
- In the case of all non- essential shops (stand-alone shops & not inside shopping centers/ malls), decision regarding the allowing of opening of such shops along with the time limit for the functioning of the same may be taken by respective Disaster Management authorities. These, if allowed to open, however shall not be opened beyond that allowed for essential shops and shall not be allowed to open on weekends.
- Delivery of Non-essential items along with essential items through E-Commerce may be allowed in such districts.
- Post 3 PM there shall be restrictions on movement except for medical and other emergencies, or for home deliveries allowed under the order dated May 12, 2021.
- All Government offices, except those involved directly for corona work in the said districts can function with 25% attendance. Respective DMA may allow more than this percentage of attendance if concerned HOD requests so. In MCGM area, for GOI and GOM establishments, these permissions shall be granted by Chief Secretary of State of Maharashtra.
- Agriculture sector related shops may remain open till 2 PM on weekdays. Respective DMA however may extend this timings on weekdays or may allow for some period on weekends, taking into the considerations of the requirements of sowing season and in view of impending monsoon.
Restrictions in Districts With Positivity Rate Above 20%:
In the case of administrative units where the positivity rate is more than 20 per cent or where occupancy of the oxygen beds available therein is more than 75 per cent following restrictions will be imposed:
- The district borders of such districts be sealed and no influx or outflow of persons into or from the district may be allowed. Only in the case of death in the family or on medical grounds or for performing duty relating to any emergency and/or essential services related to COVID 19 management, a person may be allowed to enter or leave the district with no other exceptions.
Restrictions in Other Districts:
In all the other administrative units, that do not fall under the previous two conditions, all the current restrictions imposed under ‘Break the Chain’ orders issued on May 12, 2021 will continue as before.
Restrictions on Delivery Services in Maharashtra:
- There are no restrictions for cargo movements and deliveries to shops/establishments beyond the opening time of these are allowed for the purposes of replenishments of stock. There shall however be no serving of any customers beyond permitted times over the counter. Anyone breaking these orders shall be closed down till the period notification of Corona Pandemic is in operation in addition to fines mentioned in order dated May 12, 2021.
- Home deliveries are allowed during the period permitted by DMA and must be encouraged by considering permitting for longer periods.
Maharashtra reported 18,600 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, its lowest one-day count since mid- March this year, which took the tally to 57,31 815, the health department said. The death of 402 patients during the day pushed the number of fatalities to 94,844, it said. This is the lowest single-day infection count since March 16, when the state had added 17,864 cases. On Saturday, the state had recorded 20,295 positive cases and 443 fatalities.
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