The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office on Friday, 26 March, announced that night curfew will be imposed in the state from 28 March.
The move came amid rising COVID-19 cases in the state, which has been experiencing record single-day spikes for the last few days.
So what’s allowed and what’s not?
Will malls and restaurants be open during curfew?
No, they will not be allowed to remain open during the curfew. All cinema halls, malls, auditoriums and restaurants will be closed from 8 pm to 7 am, starting 27 March. However, home delivery and takeaway from restaurants will be allowed during the curfew.
Any violations of this rule will lead to the closure of establishment till the pandemic remains notified as a ‘disaster’.
What about other public places? Will they be open?
No, other public places like beaches and gardens will remain shut from 8 pm to 7 am effective from midnight of 27 March, the Maharashtra government announced on Saturday.
Violation of the same will attract a penalty of Rs 1,000 per head, the government announced.
What has the government said on gatherings?
The Maharashtra government has said that gathering of more than five persons will not be allowed in the state from 8 pm to 7am, starting midnight on 27 March.
The penalty for violating this guideline is Rs 1,000 per head.
What are the penalties for not following SOPs?
The government has announced that any person found not wearing a mask will be fined Rs 500. Spitting at public places will attract a penalty of Rs 1,000.
What did the government statement say on Friday?
According to the statement, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said he did not want to impose a lockdown, but also warned of stricter restrictions if people did not observe COVID-19 safety protocols.
He also asked severely affected districts to take precautions and told all District Magistrates that if cases rise alarmingly, lockdown must be imposed. However, he said the lockdown should not be imposed overnight.
All public and private healthcare institutes and institutes have been asked to make sure adequate staff is ready to tackle the crisis, failing which action will be taken.
Crowded places, like bars, cinema halls and hotels, have been asked to follow SOPs, and warned of action if found flouting norms.
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