Alarmed apparently by the continued spike in coronavirus fatalities and infections, the Maharashtra Government on Monday extended the lockdown till July 31, to restrict the movement of persons for non-essential activities like shopping and outdoor exercises and to enforce strictly mandatory precautions of wearing masks, social distancing and personal hygiene.
On a day when the State recorded 181 more fatalities and 5,257 new infections taking the total number of deaths to 7,610 and infected cases to 1,69,883 in the State, the Uddhav Thackeray vested powers with the district collectors and Municipal Commissioners to enforce “certain measures and necessary restrictions” in “specified local areas” to contain the spread of the pandemic.
“It is further directed that the movement of persons for the purposes of non-essential activities like shopping and the outdoor exercises, shall be restricted within the neighbourhood area limits with all necessary prescribed mandatory precautions of wearing masks, social distancing and personal hygiene,” the state government order extending the lockdown till July 31 stated.
In a related development, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation – which is waging a grim battle against Cororavirus in the country’s commercial capital, issued a separate order announcing that it would impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on those not wearing masks in the metropolis. “Anybody violating this order will be punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code (48 of 1860) and a fine of Rs 1000 will be imposed for each such offence by the police officer or the officers appointed by Asstt. Commissioners of MCGM,” the BMC order read.
Apart from permitting “unrestricted movement” only for attending place of work and bona fide humanitarian requirement including medical reason, the Maharashtra government has allowed continuance of all essential shops, e-commerce activity for essential and non-essential items, all industrial units, on-line-distance learning activities and home delivery of food which are currently operational All essential and non-essential shops and markets, except malls and market complexes, will be allowed to open from 9 am to 5 pm.
“All Government offices (excluding Emergency, health and Medical, treasuries, disaster management, police, NIC, food and Civil Supply, FCI, NYK, Municipal Services) to function with 15% strength or 15 persons - whichever is higher,” the state government order said.
All private offices in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have been allowed to operate with 10% strength or 10 people, the state government has allowed activities related to self-employed people like plumbers, electricians, pest control, garages, printing and distribution of newspapers (including home delivery), and barber shops have also been allowed in MMR.
Among other activities that have been permitted include: inter-district movement of persons within the MMR for the essential activities and the office purposes, movement of people till neighbourhood markets, garages to mend vehicles and workshops with prior appointments, printing and distribution of newspapers (including home delivery) and movement of offices/staff of Educational institutions (Universities/ Colleges/ Schools) for the purpose of non-teaching purposes including development of e-content, evaluation of answer sheets and declaration of results.
The State government has permitted movement of vehicles with certain restrictions. These include: taxi/Cab: One driver with two passengers, autorickshaw: One plus two passengers, four-wheeler(Driver with two more people) and two-wheeler: Only one essential rider.
