Can’t let guard down: Maharashtra extends lockdown till June 15

Addressing people of the state through social media, Thackeray asked them not to let their guard down while bracing for the third wave of the pandemic.

The CM also indicated that the present lockdown-like restrictions in the state valid till June 1 will be extended by a fortnight, adding there may be certain relaxations.

“Even though patient numbers are dropping, we are still at the levels of last year”s peak,” Thackeray said.

The “Majha doctor” initiative of the state government will help reach out to family doctors to avoid overmedication and hospitalisation of asymptomatic cases, he said.

“There is a difference between the COVID-19 virus variant between last time and this time. It is more virulent now, spreading fast and taking longer for the patient to recover,” he said.

“We also have another devil to deal with: black fungus. We have 3,000 cases of mucormycosis in the state. The coronavirus task force is keeping track,” he said.

COVID vaccines found stored in normal fridge at five-star hotel; Mumbai Mayor orders probe

In municipal corporations or regions of districts with less than 10 per cent COVID-19 positivity rate and where the availability of occupied oxygen beds will be less than 40 per cent, all the establishments/shops engaged in essential commodities and services that are presently opened from 7 am to 11 am can now remain open from 7 am to 2 pm, the government said in an order.

For districts and corporations having more than a 20 per cent positivity rate and where over 75 per cent of oxygen beds are occupied, the borders of such districts will be closed and no person will be allowed to enter or exit in such districts.

The exceptions will be death from a family, medical reason and emergency services or services related to such situations.

Instead of implementing the ‘Break the chain’ order uniformly in the state, the restrictions will now be relaxed or made more stringent till 7 amof June 15 by taking into account the positivity rate in the municipality jurisdiction and areas of districts, and the availability of oxygen beds at various places, the government said.

Maharashtra lockdown: What’s allowed, what’s not

• All essential shops that are currently allowed to operate between 7 AM and 11 AM may be allowed to operate between 7 AM and 2 PM.
• In the case of all non- essential shops (stand-alone shops & not inside shopping centers/ malls), decision regarding the allowing of opening of such shops along with the time limit for the functioning of the same may be taken by respective Disaster Management authorities. These, if allowed to open, however shall not be opened beyond that allowed for essential shops and shall not be allowed to open on weekends.
• Delivery of Non-essential items along with essential items through E-Commerce may be allowed in such districts.
• Post 3 PM there shall be restrictions on movement except for medical and other emergencies, or for home deliveries allowed under the order dated May 12, 2021.
• All Government offices, except those involved directly for corona work in the said districts can function with 25% attendance. Respective DMA may allow more than this percentage of attendance if concerned HOD requests so.
• In MCGM area, for GOI and GOM establishments, these permissions shall be granted by Chief Secretary of State of Maharashtra.
• Agriculture sector related shops may remain open till 2 PM on weekdays. Respective DMA however may extend this timings on weekdays or may allow for some period on weekends, taking into the considerations of the requirements of sowing season and in view of impending monsoon.
• There are no restrictions for cargo movements and deliveries to shops/establishments beyond the opening time of these are allowed for the purposes of replenishments of stock.
• There shall however be no serving of any customers beyond permitted times over the counter.
• Anyone breaking these orders shall be closed down till the period notification of Corona Pandemic is in operation in addition to fines mentioned in order dated May 12, 2021.
• Home deliveries are allowed during the period permitted by DMA and must be encouraged by considering permitting for longer periods.