Maharashtra fresh restrictions: Curbs on private transport beyond city, district limits

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Instead of imposing a complete lockdown, the state government has made restrictions harsher from 8pm, April 22. In an order issued Wednesday, private passengers trips beyond the city and district limits has been barred and controls put on long distance public transport till May 1.

Private passenger transport excluding buses can only run for emergency or essential services or valid reasons with driver plus 50% of the seating capacity.

Inter-district or inter-city travel is allowed only if required for performing an essential service or in case of medical emergencies or attending unavoidable events like funerals or severe sickness of family. Anyone flouting the order in letter or spirit shall be punishable by fine of Rs 10,000.

Private buses can run only with 50% of seating capacity with no standing travellers. Inter-city or inter-district travel by private buses shall restrict the stoppages to maximum two in a city and shall inform local authorities about the same and the schedule.

The passengers alighting shall be stamped on the hand for 14 days home quarantine. This stamping must be done by the bus operator. Thermal scanners shall be used and anyone with symptoms shall be moved to corona care centres or to hospital. Violation invites a fine of R 10,000.

The local authority can waive off the rules regarding mandatory stamping for buses arriving from certain origins as per the local conditions.

Public passenger transport

State and Centre employees, medical personnel, persons needing medical treatment and specially abled persons with one attendant have been allowed use suburban trains, metro and mono rail services (except long distance trains). Ttickets/passes will be issued to the above category of personnel on the basis of identity cards.

State and civic-run public buses shall ply at 50% of the capacity with no standing passengers.

Inter-city or inter-district travel by long distance trains and buses shall be subject to controls like sharing information of passengers and their destination with respective local authorities.

All alighting passengers shall be stamped on the hand for 14 days home quarantine. Thermal scanners shall be used and anyone with symptoms shall be moved to corona care centres or to hospitals. Local authorities may decide to tests the passengers. Cost of the test, shall be borne by the passenger.

Office Attendance

Government offices will operate only with 15 % attendance except for emergency services directly connected to management of COVID 19 pandemic. In the case of Mantralaya and Central Government offices in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Head of the Department can decide for higher attendance after seeking permission.

All other offices should function only with 15% of their total attendance or 5 people, whichever is more. Essential services should not exceed 50% attendance. Attendance of personnel actually delivering the essential services on the ground should also be minimised but can be extended up to 100% as per the requirements.

Only 25 for marriage ceremony

The marriage ceremony should be a single event in a single hall not extending beyond 2 hours with maximum of 25 guests, including family. Offenders may be fined Rs 50,000, and location that is misused shall be closed till the disaster act remains in force.