The Maharashtra government has imposed "strict restrictions of 50 per cent" instead of a blanket lockdown across all state district to control the coronavirus scourge. The decision was implemented on Monday, after the state crossed the 23 lakh COVID-19 case tally and will remain in effect until March 31. Besides this, the government is working on the 3-Ts of Tracking, Testing, Treatment while ramping up the treatment facilities, the State Health Minister informed.

Guest limit capped at 50 people in Maharashtra

Under the new restrictions, the state has directed all hotels, restaurants, cinemas, and multiplexes to operate at only 50% capacity. Stringent protocols have been established for shopping malls while offices will have to adhere to the 50% staff norms and 'Work From Home' will be encouraged. The Health Minister further informed that strong regulations are being imposed for marriages and other social gatherings to control the COVID-19 swell.

The guest limit for weddings has been capped at 50 and 20 mourners for all funerals, said a notification issued late on Monday evening. All social, religious, political and cultural gatherings have been banned, in view of the spiralling rise of cases. 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 state encourages people over 60 years of age to get the COVID vaccine

Last week, the Chief Minister had warned of stringent measures and a probable lockdown if the people failed to cooperate in keeping the rate of COVID transmission in check. Though the state has moved away from the option of enforcing a lockdown, the continuous rise in new infections, each day, has lead to the implementation of strict actions, stated the Health Minister.

He further informed that the state COVID inoculation drive has been accelerated and vaccination centres in both government and private hospital have been increased. With this, he also stressed the fact that there is no shortage of the vaccine and appealed to all people above 60 to get their dose as soon as possible.

Though trading, business and commercial activities had picked pace here after a year of the COVID outbreak, Maharashtra has gone back to being the worst-hit in the country. At present, there are about 1,30,547 active cases in the state, where the state capital pitches 13,309 cases to the total share. "Nearly 85 per cent of the cases are asymptomatic and are advised home treatment, and the death rate is low.", the Health Minister concluded.