After reviewing the coronavirus situation in the state, the Maharashtra government has announced a de-tailed five-level plan to unlock Maharashtra which has come into force on the 7th of June. The new guide-lines laid down in the unlock plan seemingly provides relief to the residents and traders in areas where Covid-19 cases have declined considerably. As per the state government’s plan, this 5-level unlock plan is based on the positivity rate and occupancy of oxygenated beds in districts and cities.
The government has defined level 1 districts and areas having a positivity rate of less than 5% and occu-pancy of oxygenated beds should be below 25%. Level 2 will include areas with a positivity rate below 5% and oxygenated bed occupancy between 25% and 40%. For level 3 the areas to have a positivity rate be-tween 5% and 10% or oxygenated bed occupancy of more than 40%. In level 4 the positivity rate should be between 10% and 20% or oxygen bed occupancy of more than 60%. To be categories in level 5, the strictest level, areas will be required to have a positivity rate of more than 20% or occupancy of oxygen be is more than 75%.
Mumbai is currently in level 3 of the Unlock plan. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has issued new guidelines to control the spread of Covid-19 in the city. Navi Mumbai and Thane have been catego-rised in level 2 of the plan. Kalyan Dombivali municipal limits are also in level 3. As per the latest infor-mation available, the level 1 districts currently are Aurangabad, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Parbhani, Thane, Washim, Wardha, and Yavatmal.
All the essential shops and establishments will be allowed to function as usual in Levels 1 and 2 while they will have to shutter down after 4 pm in level 3 and 4 areas on all days. In level 5, the establishments will stay open till 4 pm on weekdays and stay shut on weekends. The non-essential shops and services will function as usual in level 1 and 2, and stay shut after 4 pm in level 3. These shops to be functional only on weekdays, avoiding weekends. They will not be allowed to open at all in level 4 and Level 5.
In level 1, restaurants can function as usual, while in level 2, they will have to run with only 50% capacity. For level 3, they can have a 50% capacity till 4 pm and will only be allowed takeaway and parcel services after that and on weekends. People in level 4 areas will not be allowed to dine in but only parcel and takeaway services. In level 5, only home delivery is allowed. People cannot visit restaurants. The private offices can also operate with 50% of capacity on weekdays. Parks, gardens, beaches will be allowed to be opened at constrained timing. Gyms and Salons can function too with 50% occupancy for levels 1,2, and 3. Level 4 and 5 shall remain under lockdown like curbs.
