Coronavirus: Maharashtra orders stricter restrictions starting April 22
The Maharashtra government announced fresh restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 late Wednesday. The new restrictions come into effect at 8 pm on Thursday and will remain enforced until 7 am on May 1. Maharashtra is notably India's worst-hit state and it has seen a slew of record spikes in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. Here are more details.
Government offices to operate with 15% strength
Government offices—state, central, under local authorities—will operate with 15% attendance, barring emergency services directly connected to COVID-19 pandemic. Other offices should function only with 15% of their total attendance or five people, whichever is more. Offices required for essential services should work at the lowest required capacity, not exceeding 50%. Attendance may be extended to 100% for personnel delivering essential services on the ground.
Wedding ceremonies should not exceed 2 hours; 25 guests allowed
Wedding ceremonies should be conducted as a single event at a single hall, not exceeding two hours with up to 25 guests. Those in violation will be fined Rs. 50,000. Such venues shall be closed till the promulgation of COVID-19 as a disaster remains enforced.
Private transport can ply for emergency, essential services
Private passenger transport can ply for emergency/essential services/valid reasons with the driver plus 50% of seating capacity. These should be confined to the city of residence of travelers. Inter-district or inter-city travel is allowed only if required for performing an essential service, medical emergencies, or attending unavoidable events like funerals/severe sickness of family. Those in violation will be fined Rs. 10,000.
Private buses to ply with 50% of seating capacity
Private buses can ply with 50% of seating capacity with no standing travelers. For inter-city or inter-district travel by private buses: stoppages must be restricted to two and the local authorities must be informed. If the passengers alight the vehicle at the stoppages, they must be stamped for 14-day home quarantine. This stamping must be done by the operator.
Symptomatic persons should be moved to COVID-19 centers, hospitals
Thermal scanners shall be used. Symptomatic persons must be moved to COVID-19 Care Centers (CCCs)/hospitals. Local authorities may decide to conduct antibody tests at the alighting point and the cost may be borne by passengers/service providers. Violators will be fined Rs. 10,000. Repeated violations will lead to the cancellation of the license to operate till the end of notification of COVID-19 as a pandemic.
Trains/metros restricted to select groups
Local trains, metro, and monorail services (except long-distance trains) can only be used by government personnel (ticket passes will be issues), medical personnel, and persons needing medical treatment, and disabled persons (along with one companion). State government or local government-owned public buses shall ply at 50% of the capacity with no standing passengers.
For inter-city/inter-district travel by long distance trains, buses:
Local railway officers/MSRTC officers shall provide all information to district authorities for the screening of travelers alighting in their jurisdictions. Passengers alighting should be stamped on the hand for 14-day home quarantine. Thermal scanners shall be used. Symptomatic persons must be moved to CCCs/hospitals. Local authorities may decide to conduct antibody tests at the alighting point and the cost may be borne by passengers.
Maharashtra reports 67.5K new cases
The state reported the second-biggest spike of 67,468 new cases on Wednesday, marking a daily positivity rate of 24.7% with 2,72,744 samples being tested. The state's tally has now reached 40,27,827. The total number of active states in the state stood at 6,95,747. The death toll rose to 67,468 with a record 568 more fatalities in the past 24 hours.
