‘Break the Chain': MVA Govt releases lockdown rules for Maharashtra amid rising COVID cases

In a bid to break the chain of the second surge of coronavirus in Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray government has decided to impose strict restricitions across the state. Announcing the stringent curbs, state minister Nawab Malik said that there will be complete lockdown on weekends, which will begin at 8pm on Fridays and continue till 7am on Mondays. The rules, which come into effect tomorrow, include a ban on gatherings of five or more throughout the day; malls, restaurants, bars and places of worship will be closed; home delivery and essential services will be allowed. Industrial operations and construction activity will be allowed. Rules to control crowding in vegetable markets will be introduced.

Film shoots will be allowed without crowds but theatres will be closed. Everything except essential services will be closed on weekends. Termed as ‘Break the Chain Restrictions’, these curbs will remain in place till April 30. All private offices to enforce work from home with the exception of SBI Bank, stock market, insurance companies, medical offices, mediclaim offices, telecom and financial service-providing firms. Disaster management firms, electricity and water supply offices have been allowed to function. Government offices will work at 50 per cent capacity.

 

 

Restaurants, theatres, multiplexes to shut down.

Complete lockdown on the weekends.

No restrictions on farming-related activities.

Section 144 to be imposed through the day and night curfew during the night.

More than five people can’t gather at one place between 7 am to 8 pm.

One cannot leave their home without valid proper reason between 8 pm and 7 am.

Only essential services are excluded.

All public places like parks, beaches will stay shut from 8 pm to 7 am.

If people crowd these areas through the day, these places will be shut completely too.

All shops except grocery, medicines, vegetables and those selling essential items will stay shut till April 30.

Malls, market places and gyms will also remain closed till April 30.

All theatres, multiplexes, video parlours, pubs, swimming pools, sports complexes, auditoriums, waterparks to shut down completely.

Places of religious worship to shut.

Restaurants and bars to allow only allow takeaway and parcels between 7 am to 8 pm.

Roadside vendors can also provide parcels from 7 am to 8 pm. In case, there is overcrowding, action will be taken against them.

E-Commerce will be allowed from 7 am to 8 pm for home delivery only if the staff are vaccinated.

If the delivery personnel are not vaccinated, the establishment will be fined Rs 1,000.

Newspaper sellers will also have to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Schools, colleges, private classes to shut too with the only exception being Class 10th and 12th exams. 

Additionally, societies with more than 5 positive patients will be declared a containment zone. Outsiders will not be allowed entry at all.