Maharashtra: Stepping out of home? Be fully vaccinated

People are seen shopping at Crawford market. As per the new rules, visiting shops will require Mumbaikars to be fully vaccinated. Pic/Ashish Raje

Following the outbreak of Omicron, the new Coronavirus variant of concern in South Africa and other countries, the Maharashtra government on Saturday revised Covid-19 guidelines, making the vigilance stricter. The state has made the violation of CAB (Covid appropriate behaviour) punishable, even while allowing some more relaxations.

As per the rules, all public transport buses can be used only by fully-vaccinated people. Individuals visiting a shop, establishment, mall, or a social gathering, along with show performers, audience, crew and participants of ticketed and non-ticketed events held indoors or outdoors, should be fully vaccinated.

However, the restriction of full vaccination will not apply to offices/establishments where the general public does not have access. Individuals working in these set-ups have been advised to get their two doses at the earliest.

Violation of Covid appropriate behaviour inside a taxi/bus or any 4-wheeler, will be fined Rs 500 along with the driver/conductor

Mask protocol violation inside four-wheelers (car, bus), organisations, institutions will invite penalty of Rs 500 to Rs 50,000 for the defaulting individual, owner (driver, conductor, cleaner), the operator of the event/management of the institution.

Travellers arriving into Maharashtra from any international destination will have to follow the directions of the Central government. The Mumbai authorities have decided to quarantine them for a specific period. Domestic travellers will either need to be fully vaccinated or carry a negative RT-PCR test report valid for 72 hours.

The cap for participation in indoor activities remains 50 per cent of the total seating capacity. Outdoor events such as sport and, in Mumbai's case, the forthcoming cricket test, can take in only 25 per cent of the Wankhede's capacity.

‘RT-PCR could detect Omicron'

Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray sought preliminary information from the State Covid Task Force on Saturday and is expected to discuss the new variant and measures to be taken in detail on Sunday. Health minister Rajesh Tope said the virulent variant is being studied for transmissibility, which is said to be much higher than the till-date dominant Delta type. "We're told that the RT-PCR testing works to detect the infection, which has been found in fully-vaccinated people as well. We're taking all possible measures to prevent its spread," he added.

Guidelines for travellers/passengers

>> Arrivals from international destinations will be governed by directions of the Government of India. Domestic travellers will have to be fully vaccinated or carry an RT-PCR test valid for 72 hours

>> CAB protocol violation inside four-wheelers (car, bus), organisations, institutions will invite a penalty of Rs 500 to Rs 50,000 for the defaulting individual, owner (driver, conductor, cleaner), the operator of the public event/management of the institution

>>Guests, organisers, crew and performers in any ticketed or non-ticketed event must be fully vaccinated. Public transportation facilities can be availed only by fully vaccinated individuals; this restriction has been relaxed for the offices/establishments that the general public do not visit, and private transport.