Maharashtra
Maharashtra imposes strict Covid curbs; offices to work with 15 pct attendees, 25 guests at marriages
Mumbai/IBNS: The Maharashtra government on late Wednesday night imposed strict restrictions in the state to break the chain of coronavirus' spread.
These rules will come into effect from 8 pm Thursday and stay in place till 7 am May 1.
As per the new restrictions, attendance at all private and government (centre and state) offices not directly connected to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic will be capped at 15 per cent.
Establishments providing essential services should operate with the "lowest required capacity" but can have no more than 50 per cent of their workforce present at any given time.
Delivery agents should also be minimised but this can go up to 100 per cent if required.
Attendance at weddings and marriage ceremonies has been restricted to only 25 people. These ceremonies may be conducted "only as a single event in a single hall not extending beyond 2 hours.
A fine of Rs. 50,000 would be imposed on those violating these rules.
Use of private vehicles, excluding buses, will only be allowed for essential purposes or valid reasons, like medical emergencies.
Private vehicles will not be allowed to travel inter-city or inter-district unless it is an emergency or is required for essential services. Violation of this rule will lead to a fine of Rs. 10,000.
Private buses can run with a maximum of 50 per cent of seated capacity, with no standing travellers.
Service operators violating these guidelines will be fined up to Rs. 10,000 and with repeated defaults, there can be cancellation of license till the pandemic ends.
State-run buses will also ply with 50 per cent capacity, with the no-standing rule to be enforced.
Use of public transport has been limited to government (state, centre or local) personnel, all medical personnel (including doctors, paramedics and lab techs), and any person needing medical treatment or any specially-abled person and their attendant.
The imposition of strictures comes on a day when Maharashtra registered 568 deaths due to the deadly coronavirus, which is the highest ever single-day spike in the fatality count of the state since the pandemic's outbreak.
The state also logged 67,468 fresh infections in the past 24 hours.
Pune remains the worst-affected city in Maharashtra with 10,852 Covid cases and 35 deaths.
The state's capital city-Mumbai logged 7,684 cases and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours, followed by Nagpur with 7,555 cases and 41 deaths.
Meanwhile, 24 people died in Nashik because of a disruption in oxygen supply triggered by a leak in a tanker.
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