While ruling out a stringent lockdown, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government on Sunday tightened restrictions further by announcing a night curfew and weekend lockdown across the State in the wake of the relentless surge in COVID-19 cases .
The fresh norms, which come into effect today, include a curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Monday to Friday), a ban on gatherings of five or more persons throughout the day, and, in a determined bid to prevent gatherings, a closure of malls, restaurants and bars.
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Theatres and cinema halls are to remain shut as well, while playgrounds and gardens will also be closed.
Home delivery services will be permitted while essential services will continue unhindered.
The new rules are to last till April 30, said a government notification.
In order to keep the wheels of the economy spinning, there will be no curbs on industrial operations and construction activity. Agriculture and agricultural activities, transportation of food grains and agricultural commodities will continue as usual too. Film shoots will be permitted, though in the strict absence of crowds.
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Everything except essential services will be closed on weekends.
While no new restrictions are put on traffic, public transport will run at 50% capacity. All types of shops, malls and markets (except for groceries and medicines) are to remain closed till April 30.
The regulations mandate shopkeepers and staff of essential goods shops and services to complete the vaccination as soon as possible and see to it that the rules are followed by themselves and the customers.
It further mandated that private offices, except those dispensing financial services, will be required to work entirely from home.
Only banks, stock markets, insurance, pharmaceuticals, mediclaim companies, telecommunications, disaster management offices, electricity and water supply offices will remain open.
Government offices are to work at 50% capacity with visitors having limited access.
