Maharashtra to unlock with new 5-level curbs from Monday, rules may differ across Mumbai

The Maharashtra government has announced a detailed five-level plan to initiate the unlock process in the state as the Covid-19 situation improves.

In a late-night development, the Maharashtra CMO in a statement said that there shall be five levels of restrictions based on the weekly positivity rate and occupancy of oxygen beds.

Under the plan, districts and cities falling in “Level 1" will have the least restrictions, while those in “Level 5" will have stringent near lockdown-like restrictions in place.

According to the order, the cities and districts have been divided into five levels. While Mumbai and its suburbs, including Thane, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivali, will all be divided, the remaining 34 districts will be treated as separate, single administrative units. Those districts and cities that will be put in level 1 (with less than 5% weekly positivity rate and less than 25% occupancy rate of oxygen beds) will be free of all restrictions.

This means, all shops, restaurants, malls, theatres, public places, private offices, sports, shooting gatherings, marriages, funerals can restart in level 1 areas from Monday.

The second level is for districts with less than 5% positivity and oxygen beds occupancy of 25 to 40%. State capital Mumbai falls under this category. Film shoots will now be allowed to resume in the city.

Shops can reopen in districts under level 2, however, malls, restaurants, gymnasiums, salons have been allowed partial relaxations. Marriages and gatherings have also been allowed with 50 per cent capacity. Offices, too, can reopen with full capacity in districts under level 2.

Mumbai local trains, the densely populated city's lifeline, will however not be operational for everyone. Only essential workers can take the trains. Buses in Mumbai will be allowed to operate at full capacity however passengers will not be allowed to travel standing up to avoid crowding the bus.

For "Level 3", the areas will be required to have a positivity rate between 5% and 10% or oxygenated bed occupancy of more than 40%.

Further in "Level 4", the positivity rate should be between 10% and 20% or oxygen bed occupancy of more than 60%. To be categories in "Level 5", the strictest level, areas will be required to have a positivity rate of more than 20% or occupancy of oxygen beds should be more than 75%.

The Disaster Management Authority shall enforce these levels of restrictions over administrative units falling under its jurisdiction.

The government order is applicable from Saturday, while local bodies will have to issue separate orders which may be applicable from Monday.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona 

• Maharashtra
• Mumbai
• positivity rate
• restrictions
• unlock
• Oxygen Beds