Maharashtra announces weekend lockdown, night curfew, stricter curbs from Monday amid COVID spike
Amid a massive surge in Covid-19 cases in the state, Maharashtra government on Sunday ordered to impose complete lockdown next weekend from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday, said NCP minister Nawab Malik.
FollowMumbai: The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced new restrictions including a night curfew in the state and a "strict lockdown" over the weekends from Friday 8 pm to Monday 7 pm amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.
Apart from the weekend lockdown, strict restrictions will be in force from Monday 8 pm onwards, Minority Affairs Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
He said that night curfew will continue and prohibitory orders issued under section 144 will be force during the day time during the week.
"Apart from the weekend lockdown, strict restrictions will be in force from 8 pm tomorrow, under which shopping malls, bars, restaurants, small shops will be open only for take-aways and parcels. Government offices will be allowed to function only at 50% of their capacity," he said.
Only essential services will be permitted. Restaurants are permitted only for take away and parcel services. For offices, employees will have to work from home. The detailed SOP will be released soon.
Under the weekend lockdown, the state will shut down malls, cinema halls, bars and restaurants from Monday.
Transportation will permit passengers to travel based on their seating capacity. Rickshaw, Taxi and personal vehicles will commute with 50% seating capacity, added officials.
The decision was announced after Thackeray chaired a cabinet meeting virtually today, where the authorities and other ministers of the state discussed the Covid-19 situation.
