Rajesh Tope: All COVID-19 restrictions will not be eased as 21 districts have more than 10% positivity rate

As the number of covid cases have started to show a declining trend in Maharashtra, the state government plans to extend the state-wide lockdown by a week.

As per news reports, the state government is likely to lift curbs after extending the lockdown. According to the report, the state cabinet will hold a meeting to decide on the lockdown extension. The state at present is considering two propositions – one is phased unlocking from June 7 or June 1. There are also reports that unlocking in the state will take place in four phases. 

However, state health minister Rajesh Tope said, "All COVID-19 restrictions will not be lifted as 21 districts have more than 10% positivity rate". Tope said, "It has been decided that all COVID-19 restrictions will not be lifted as 21 districts have more than 10% positivity rate. Relaxations could be given in the districts where cases are declining, guidelines will be issued in a few days."

Report state that shops will be opened in first and second phases. The closure of shops in the last few days has caused huge losses to traders in the state. As a result, the government is likely to focus on starting all these transactions in the first phase. In the third phase, hotels, restaurants and bars will be started. After that, in the fourth phase, local services and religious places will be started by the government. It is said that the decision on when to lift ban on inter-district travel will be taken based on the situation.

However, the schools and colleges will continue to remain shut and the Mumbai local trains will resume plying in the last phase of unlocking.

Maharashtra recorded 24,752 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the state’s infection tally to 56,50,907, while 453 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 91,341.