New guidelines issued on Saturday restrict movement of people during day; schools, colleges and local tourist spots shut
All movement to be restricted between 11 pm-5 am except in emergency
With Covid -19 cases in Maharashtra seeing a massive surge, the state government issued fresh guidelines on Saturday, imposing strict measures on movement of people, while closing schools and colleges till mid-February. The new guidelines, issued by Debashish Chakraborty, Chief Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra, come into effect from Sunday.
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As per the new rules, no one will be allowed to step out of their homes during the curfew hours, which is 11 pm to 5 am. Restrictions have also been imposed on gathering of more than five people from 5 am to 11 pm. All schools and colleges will also remain shut till February 15. Only teachers will be able to work as per the requirement.
Guidelines have also been issued for office-goers. Any visitor to a government office will have to take written permission before visiting. The number of employees in private offices will also have to be limited to 50 per cent, with staggered work hours. Only employees who have taken both doses of the vaccine should be allowed at office.
It will be mandatory for people traveling in trains and buses to take both doses of the vaccine. Swimming pools, spas, gyms, beauty salons and wellness centres will be shut until further notice. Hair-cutting salons will, however, continue to function at 50 per cent capacity. The person visiting a salon should have taken both the doses. Restaurants, cinemas, auditoriums will remain open at 50 per cent capacity till 10pm. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed.
As per the order, “all persons working in shops, restaurants, hotels or any establishment engaged in e-commerce or home-delivery must be fully vaccinated”. “The management shall be held responsible and if any case found in contravention to this requirement, concerned establishment shall be closed by DDMA [District Disaster. Management Authority]. Periodic testing using RAT for staff engaged in these activities are to be carried out by the management,” the order states.
Rules have also been issued for religious functions, marriages and funerals. Only 50 persons can attend marriages, and religious, social, cultural and political gatherings. Only 20 people will be allowed during last rites.
City and district level sports camps and competitions will not be held for now. National and international sports, which are already scheduled, will be organized, but without audience. The participating contestants and officials will have to undergo an RT-PCR test every third day.
Entertainment parks, zoos, museums, forts and others ticketed place/events for general public will also remain closed. For international flights, people have been instructed to follow Government of India’s directives, while domestic travellers will either have to present their fully vaccinated certificates or a mandatory RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours.
Other curbs issued by state
Offices: No visitors allowed in government offices; private offices to not have more than 50 per cent of total staff; staggered timings at work.
Restaurants and theatres: At 50 per cent capacity; only fully vaccinated persons to be allowed. Entertainment parks, zoos, museums and forts will be closed
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