Malls, restaurants and theatres to shut till April 30, full lockdown on weekends in Maharashtra
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Mumbai, April 5: Amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government has announced lockdown-like restrictions across the state from 8pm on Monday. On weekends, a complete lockdown will be imposed.
A state government notification issued late Sunday said all shops except essential services would remain shut till April 30 however people can buy non-essential goods this month during restricted time. While night curfew will be imposed every day from 8 pm to 7 am, gatherings of five or more persons will be prohibited during the daytime—7am to 8pm— on weekdays.
Malls, restaurants, and bars will remain closed, but takeaway service will remain in operation and home delivery services during the day hours. All theatres, cinema halls, malls, gardens and playgrounds will remain closed.
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No religious, social, cultural or political functions of any kind will be allowed. The state decided it would conduct board exams, but all schools, colleges and private tuition classes would remain closed. Vaccinations will continue all days of the week, including weekends.
Private vehicles, including private buses can ply as usual from 7am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, and in emergencies or on essential service duty from 8pm to 7am on weekdays and 8pm on Friday to 7am on Monday.
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Public transport will operate at 50 % capacity. Autos and taxis will be allowed two passengers. There will be no standing passengers allowed on buses and local trains. Gymnasiums, salons and beauty parlours will remain shut. Film shooting will be allowed if there is no crowding.
On Sunday, CM Thackeray held a special cabinet meeting to discuss measures to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases. The urgency to impose restrictions was hastened after the state reported over 57,000 new cases, the highest since the pandemic came to the state last year. While issuing new guidelines, the state has changed its tag line from ‘Mission Begin Again’ to ‘Break the Chain’.