COVID-19 restrictions: Maharashtra govt to ease curbs in phases from June 1

In a massive development, the Maharashtra government on Monday, May 24, indicated that the lockdown in the state would be gradually eased after June 1.

This comes as Maharashtra witnessed a fall in the number of coronavirus cases and the decline in positivity rate.

Moreover, the state government is likely to give relaxation in shop timings and may also allow shops dealing in non-essential items to remain open for limited timings.

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar mentioned while the government would not relax the strict curbs in the red zone that are active in the 15 districts, it would consider relaxation in other districts.

According to reports, Buldana, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Yavatmal, Amravati, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Akola, Satara, Washim, Beed, Gadchiroli, Ahmednagar and Osmanabad are in the red zone. Prohibitory orders and night curfew will continue to be in place, in these 15 districts given that the number of cases and positivity remains high.

Current restrictions, including the closure of shops, hotels, restaurants and registered marriages will continue to be in place even after June 1. The government has already prohibited home quarantine in the red zone, with patients being moved to institutional quarantine or COVID-19 care centres.

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He also stated that the government would allow the reopening of shops in other districts in the first and second phases, adding that the government would decide the modalities. He admitted that traders and shopkeepers have had to face severe hardship due to the closure of shops and their establishments.

The state government is also likely to increase attendance in government offices. Currently, only 15 per cent of employees are allowed in public offices.

In the third phase, hotels, restaurants, bars and wine shops will be permitted to reopen. While in the fourth phase, the general public will be allowed to travel via Mumbai local trains. Currently, only government, BMC and essential services staff are allowed to travel in suburban trains, the minister added.

However, the final decision will be taken by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray by end of this week.

On Monday, May 24, Maharashtra reported 22,122 new COVID-19 cases, which was the lowest single-day spike in 69 days (17,864 infections were reported on March 16). The state tally has now touched 5,602,019. The death toll stands at 89,212 after the addition of 361 new fatalities.