JOIN USMaharashtra extends Covid-19 restrictions till June 1
With Covid-19 cases still rising in many districts of Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government on Thursday extended the lockdown-like restrictions for another fortnight. The curbs will now remain in effect till 7 am, June 1.
Suburban train services will continue to run only for people engaged in essential services and other pre-notified categories.
At the weekly Cabinet meeting presided over by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday, ministers belonging to all the three parties – Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress and their allies – felt the need for an extension of the lockdown arrangements.
In a month’s time, the situation in Mumbai, the larger Mumbai Metropolitan region comprising Thane, Palghar and Raigad and the adjoining districts of Pune and Nashik – there has been some improvement in the situation.
Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte issued the notification on Thursday, extending the lockdown arrangements from 7 am of May 15 to 7 am of June 1.
The government also made it compulsory for any person entering Maharashtra by any mode of transport to carry a negative RT-PCR test report, which needs to be issued from up to a maximum of 48 hrs before he/she enters the state.
The government has also directed the local Disaster Management Authorities (DMA) to keep special vigil over rural markets and APMCs and ensure Covid Appropriate Behaviour. However, if the rules are not being followed, they can decide on shutting or imposing further restrictions on a case to case basis.