Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Monday announced new COVID guidelines due to surge in COVID-19 cases in the state. As per the new rules, hotels, restaurants and theatres will operate at 50 per cent capacity.
The government said, “No permission for political, social and religious gathering. Only 50 people allowed to attend weddings. Only 20 people can attend the funeral. Offices expect related to health services and essential services should operate at 50 per cent capacity.”
Maharashtra has gone back to being the worst-hit in the country. Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte on Monday issued the guidelines directing the entry of persons wearing proper masks and ensuring the presence of enough manpower for wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
CHECK OUT THE NEW GUIDELINES
· Hotels, restaurants, cinemas and multiplexes shall be allowed to operate at only 50 per cent capacity.
· Shopping malls will implement strict COVID protocols, and all social, religious, political and cultural gatherings have been banned.
· All offices will adhere to the 50 per cent staff norms with Work From Home (WFH) encouraged.
· Entries to all places of worship would be strictly regulated, depending on the space available.
· Violations of the norms would be punished with the concerned establishments ordered to shut down till the pandemic remains in force as per the Centre's rules.
· The guest limit for weddings has been capped at 50 and 20 mourners for all funerals.
Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that strong regulations are being enforced to curb the virus, besides other measures. Tope said that although lockdown may not be an option now, strict actions are, and hence the government has announced tightening of existing measures till March 31.
"Nearly 85 per cent of the cases are asymptomatic and are advised home treatment, and the death rate is low. The government is working on the 3-Ts - Tracking, Testing, Treatment - and the treatment facilities are being ramped up," Tope said.
Meanwhile, Monday saw 15,051 new COVID-19 cases in the state taking the tally of active patients to 1,30,547.
Last week, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had warned of strict measures if the people failed to cooperate in the war against the virus.
(With input from IANS)