Semi-lockdown in Maharashtra: Rs 1000 fine for violators of prohibitory orders

As Maharashtra leads in terms of both active COVID-19 cases as well as deaths from the viral disease, the state government announces semi-lockdown measures.

By: Jahnavi Sarma | | Published: March 28, 2021 10:48 am

The number of Covid-19 deaths in Maharashtra crossed the 54,000-mark as the state again retreated into stringent semi-lockdown style restrictions.

Maharashtra is again leading the 2^nd wave of COVID-19 in India. With the number of active cases galloping in the state, the Maharashtra government on Saturday announced a return to stringent night restrictions and a slew of related measures to control spread of the virus. In a detailed notification, under the ”Mission Begin Again’ scheme, Chief Secretary Sitaram J. Kunte has declared prohibitory orders starting Saturday night (March 27-28) between 8pm-7 am, till April 15. The developments came a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray carried out a mega-review with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Health Minister Rajesh Tope, and other officials from across the state in view of the growing number of COVID-19- cases. Also Read - Lockdown Imposed In Delhi From Tonight Amid COVID-19 Surge: Here's What’s Allowed, What’s Shut

Prohibitory orders, hefty fine for violators

In view of the surge in active cases and deaths, the government has come out with the following measures. Also Read - Rajasthan Government Imposes 15-Day Lockdown Due To Covid-19 Surge

All hotels, restaurants, bars, malls, cinemas, multiplexes, auditorium, malls, beaches, gardens, parks, etc, with violators liable for fines or closed down till the pandemic is in force, though home delivery of food parcels is permitted.
People found roaming without face masks will be slapped with fines of Rs.500.
Those found spitting in public to be penalised for Rs.1000.
Violating prohibitory orders will attract a Rs.1000 penalty.
Assembly of 5 or more persons is banned, all social political religious and other gathering are banned though there is a guest limit of 50 for wedding and 20 mourners at funerals.
The government has also tightened rules for institutional quarantine or home isolation, with the onus on the doctors to inform the health authorities of cases they are handling, and any lapses could result in the medicos being relieved of their duties.
In case any COVID-19 patients are located in any area/building, a board shall be in place for 14 days with previously announced protocols to be followed.
For all private offices, barring those in health or essential services sectors, 50 per cent strength is allowed, and those in government, semi-government would decide their staffing pattern as per the situation, but the manufacturing sector can work with full staff.
There will be strict regulations for people visiting government offices only for necessary or urgent works, with special permissions and entry passes.
The managements of all religious places shall determine the maximum number of devotees to be allowed per hour depending on the space available and adhering to other health rules.

Deaths cross 54K as state enters semi-lockdown mode

The number of Covid-19 deaths in Maharashtra crossed the 54,000-mark as the state again retreated into stringent semi-lockdown style restrictions. The state recorded 166 new deaths, pushing up the total number of fatalities to 54,073, just 10 days after zooming past the 53,000-mark on March 17. The state also added another 35,726 new cases – down from the highest ever tally of 36,902 recorded on March 26, taking the overall caseload to 26,73,461, the highest in the country. Simultaneously, the state’s recovery rate dropped from 87.02 per cent to 86.58 per cent, while the death rate stood at 2.02 per cent, compared to 2.04 per cent recorded a day earlier. The number of active cases in Maharashtra presently stands at 3,03,475. The number of people sent to home isolation shot up from 14,29,998 to 14,88,701 while those shunted to institutional quarantine increased from 14,578 to 15,644 on Saturday. Also Read - Covid-19 patients with poor lifestyle habits are at a higher risk of death

(With inputs from IANS)

Published : March 28, 2021 10:48 am

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