Maharashtra Lockdown: Rajesh Tope hints complete lockdown during third COVID wave

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that the state government will reimpose lockdown if the need for medical oxygen surpasses 700 metric tonnes. The state government also released a set of new rules and relaxations, which comes into effect from August 15, as it recovers from the second wave of coronavirus disease.

Tope also hinted that the state will impose full lockdown in Maharashtra if third wave hits the state.

Earlier today, the Maharashtra government allowed the operations of hotels and restaurants till 10 pm in the state. As of now hotels and restaurants were allowed to operate till 4 pm only. “Shopping malls can remain open till 10 pm in the state but visitors need to be fully vaccinated. They need to show their vaccination certificates before entering,” Rajesh Tope informed.

Gymnasiums and spas are also allowed to operate but with 50% capacity.

Maharashtra government has also lifted the cap on weddings and will now allow 200 guests if a wedding is being held in open lawns and 100 guests if the wedding is being held in a closed area. The Maharashtra government said that places of worship will remain shut till further orders.On Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that people who have been fully vaccinated and completed 14 days after receiving the second dose of an anti-Covid vaccine will be allowed to travel in Mumbai suburban local trains from August 15. At present, only government employees and essential services staffers are allowed to travel in local trains.

Tope said that a task force has been set up to decide on reopening of schools, colleges and institutes of higher education. He said that the chief minister will hold a meeting on the issue with the task force. “The task force has expressed apprehension over opening up of schools as students have not yet been fully vaccinated,” Tope said.

Earlier, function halls in Maharashtra were under the scanner amid rise in Covid-19 cases, however the govt from today will allow 200 guests to attend a wedding if it is being held in open lawns and 100 guests if the wedding is being held in a closed area.

The Maharashtra government said that places of worship will remain shut till further orders.