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Covid-19: What’s Allowed And What’s Not As Maharashtra Eases Curbs

Maharashtra eases restrictions while extending lockdown till June 30. Here’s what’s allowed and what’s not...

Bandra-Worli Sea Link road wears a deserted look during ‘Janta Curfew’ in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Mumbai on Sunday, March 22, 2020. (Photo: PTI)
Bandra-Worli Sea Link road wears a deserted look during ‘Janta Curfew’ in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Mumbai on Sunday, March 22, 2020. (Photo: PTI)

Maharashtra, the state with the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in India, extended the lockdown till June 30 but eased restrictions starting June 3 in a phased manner.

The new guidelines to be rolled out in three phases, under ‘Mission Begin Again’, allow activities like cycling and jogging in open spaces and let self-employed workers and technicians operate, according to a state government order.

In addition to what is already permitted, the state expanded the list of activities allowed, but with restrictions, in municipal corporations of Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Malegaon, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati and Nagpur.

Schools, colleges, gymnasiums and shopping malls will remain shut; travel by local trains and domestic flights won’t resume, unless allowed for specific purpose by the central government; and social, political and religious gatherings remain barred.

The easier norms come after the central government allowed reopening of the economy in a phased manner even as the number of new coronavirus cases witnessed the biggest single-day spike in a day as of 8 a.m. on Sunday. More than 8,300 fresh infections were reported and the total count tops 1.82 lakh. Maharashtra alone accounts for 34,890 active cases.

Covid-19: What’s Allowed And What’s Not As Maharashtra Eases Curbs

Here’s what’s allowed and what’s not in the state.

Starting June 3...

Outdoor Physical Activities

Individual physical exercises like cycling, jogging/running/walking permitted in public open spaces, including beaches, public and private playgrounds, grounds in societies, institutions, gardens and promenades with following conditions. No activities permitted in indoor stadiums.

  • This will be allowed between 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • No group activity will be permitted. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
  • People are advised to stay outdoors only for the purposes of physical activities for limited duration.
  • No other activity is permitted.
  • Such activities are allowed in nearby/neighbourhood open spaces. Long-distance travel not permitted.
  • Avoid crowded open spaces.

Government Offices, Self-Employed People

  • Self-employed people like plumbers, electricians, pest-control personnel and technicians allowed to while following social distancing and sanitisation, and wearing masks.
  • Garages to mend vehicles and workshops can operate with prior appointments.
  • All government offices will function at 15% strength or minimum 15 employees whichever is more. This excludes emergency, health and medical, treasuries, disaster management, police, NIC, food and civil supply, FCI, Nehru Yuva Kendras, and municipal services that can operate as required.

Starting June 5...

Shops And Markets

All markets, market areas and shops, except malls and market complexes, are allowed to function on P1-P2 basis—shops on one side of the road, lane or passage to be opened on odd dates, and the ones on the other side on even dates—from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then need to comply with these conditions:

  • The use of trial rooms in the shops will not be permitted for clothes, apparel and similar items to prevent spread of infection. Similarly, exchange policy and return policy will not be permitted.
  • Shopkeepers will be responsible for ensuring social distancing norms and are encouraged to take measures such as foot markings on the floor, token system, home delivery, etc.
  • People are advised to walk/ use cycles for shopping purposes and to use nearby/neighbourhood markets as far as possible. Long-distance travel for non- essential items will not be permitted. Use of motorised vehicles for shopping will be strictly discouraged.
  • If any failure of social distancing is found, then authorities will immediately close down such shops and markets.

Travel

From June 5, movement of people is allowed with following conditions:

  • Taxis are allowed with three people (1+2) but only for essential services. Earlier, only private four-wheelers and rickshaws were allowed with similar conditions.
  • Two-wheelers with only one rider for essential services.

Starting June 8...

Private Offices

From June 8, all private offices can operate with up to 10% strength as per requirement, with the rest working from home. All the employers will conduct sensitisation programmes to educate employees to take adequate precautions on returning home so that vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, are not infected.

Not Allowed

  • Schools, colleges, educational, training, coaching institutions.
  • International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Metro rail.
  • Passenger movement by trains and domestic air travel unless specifically allowed through separate orders and standard operating procedure.
  • Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
  • Social, political, sports/entertainment, academic/cultural, religious functions and large congregations.
  • Religious places or places of worship for public
  • Barber Shops, spas, saloons, beauty parlours.
  • Shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services.

Status Quo

The activities permitted so far by orders up to May 19 will continue to be allowed. These include.

  • All essential shops.
  • All non-essential shops as per relaxations and guidelines issued before this order, following restrictions of respective municipal corporation.
  • Liquor shops will continue to operate, if permitted, through home delivery or otherwise.
  • E-commerce activity for essential and non-essential items and material.
  • Industrial units that are open will continue to operate.
  • All construction sites (public or private) allowed to remain operational. Pre-monsoon work (public and private) allowed.
  • Home delivery restaurants and kitchens.
  • Online/distance learning and related activities.
  • Government offices at 5% strength or 10 persons, whichever is higher.
  • Movement of people only for essential services: Three people (1+2) for cars and only rider in two-wheelers.
  • Any other permitted activity.