Maharashtra govt extends lockdown till 30 Sept, but with major relaxations
- The state govt allowed inter-district movement of goods and people; private and mini buses have also been allowed to operate
- Mumbai Metro operations to remain shut
Mumbai: With Covid-19 cases continuing to rise unabated, Maharashtra government on Monday extended the lockdown in the state till 30 September.
The government, however, issued new guidelines for 'Unlock 4' under "Mission Begin Again" for opening up of more activities in areas outside the containment zones from 2 September.
As part of this, all non-essential shops will be allowed to continue, hotels and lodges will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity, following standard operating prodcedures which will be issued for necessary precautions to be taken.
All state government offices with group A and B officers will operate with 100% strength. Staff other than these are to attend office with 30% strength or 30 employees whichever is more in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Municipal Corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
In rest of the state, staff with 50% strength or 50 employees, whichever is more, can operate.
A vigilance office will be appointed in every office for ensuring the norms like social distancing, face coverings etc.
All private offices may operate up to 30% strength as per requirement.
The state government also allowed inter-district movement of goods and people. Private and minibuses have also been allowed to operate for which the SOPs will be issued by State Transport Commissioner. However, Mumbai Metro operations will remain shut.
Education and coaching institutions however, will remain closed in the state.
Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theaters, bars, auditoriums etc will remain shut.
Metro rail and international air travel of passengers remains prohibited, except as permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Maharashtra on Monday reported 11,852 new Covid-19 cases, taking its overall tally past 7.9 lakh.
11,158 recoveries in the last 24 hours took the total number of discharges to 5,73,559. There are 1,94,056 active Covid-19 cases in the state.
Death toll mounted to 24,583 with 184 more fatalities in the last 24 hours.
The Covid-19 tally in the state capital Mumbai stands at nearly 1.46 lakh, including 1,179 new cases detected in the last 24 hours.