Maharashtra Still Under Lockdown, But Green, Orange Zones to Open

CM Uddhav Thackeray urged locals to take over the work that migrants have left behind.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Monday, 18 May, that the government would not be relaxing lockdown restrictions in the state owing to the continuous surge in COVID-19 cases. CM Uddhav, however, added that economic activity will gradually be opened up in the green and orange zones of the state.

Maharashtra has recorded over 35,000 coronavirus cases so far, the highest in the country. There have been at least 1,249 deaths in the state due to the pandemic.

When asked for a timeline for the end of the lockdown, CM Uddhav reportedly said that there is no answer to that question. "We will only give relaxations when the number of coronavirus cases starts coming down. Anyone would be concerned by the number of cases in Maharashtra. They will ask what we are doing to stop it. Hence, it is difficult to lift curbs in orange zones presently," reported India Today, quoting the chief minister.

Thackeray also appealed to migrant labourers not to walk back home, adding that the state is making provisions to send them back safely though buses and trains that have been started.

Urging locals to take over the work that migrants have left behind, NDTV quoted the Maharashtra CM saying:

“I appeal to Maharashtra’s brothers and sisters, if you are in green zone, please come out. There is lack of manpower in industries. I appeal once again. In Modi ji’s language, let’s become atmanirbhar.”

Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra CM  

Mumbai, being in the Red Zone with over 21,300 COVID-19 cases, will continue to adhere to the lockdown norms with no relaxations. On 18 May, the Mumbai police also took to Twitter to clarify the same.

“Any relaxations from the earlier rules are yet to be implemented in Mumbai under Lockdown 4.0. Being in the Red Zone, strict action will be taken on vehicles and people travelling at any hour of the day, without valid permission or for non-emergency.”

Mumbai Police  

Here’s What’s Allowed in Red Zones

Mumbai and many other districts across the state, including Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Malegaon, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Akola and Amravati have been classified as red zones due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Here’s what is allowed in these Red Zones.

• All essential shops
• Non-essential shops will be allowed to continue as per relaxation and guidelines issued before this order. Liquor shops will continue to operate if permitted, home delivery or otherwise
• Shops/malls/establishments/industries which are not allowed to open in the red zones, will be permitted to remain open from 9am to 5pm. Only for the purpose of upkeep & maintenance. No commercial or production activity will be permitted.
• E-commerce activity for essential as well as non-essential items and material.
• All industries units which are permitted to operate
• All construction sites (public/private) which are allowed to remain open and operational. Pre-monsoon works for these sites are allowed.
• No taxis, cab aggregators or rickshaws are allowed
• As for four wheelers, only 3 people including the driver are allowed (only essential)
• Only one rider is allowed on two wheelers (only essential)
• All emergency staff can operate as needed
• All government offices will function at 5 percent strength or a minimum of 10 employees, whichever is more. Central Govt offices will continue to function as per the existing permitted norms.
• Home delivery by restaurants/kitchens