Maharashtra: State Government Classifies Municipal Corporation And Rural Areas For Relaxations In Lockdown

Mubarak Ansari 

Pune, 29th May 2021: After Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced lockdown till 7 am on 15th June in Maharashtra, a set of rules have been issued for the districts and municipal corporation areas for giving relaxations in lockdown.

A. Municipal Corporation areas of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Thane Municipal Corporation, Pune Municipal Corporation, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, New Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation, Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad Municipal Corporation and Nashik Municipal Corporation (all municipal corporation areas with a population of more than a million as per 2011 census) shall be considered as separate administrative units, within the respective territorial jurisdiction of local Disaster Management Authorities of districts for the purposes of restrictions that are placed for the purposes of breaking the chain and stopping the spread of Coronavirus. Rest of the area within the jurisdiction of the respective local Disaster Management Authority will form a single separate administrative unit for the said purpose.

B. Reference date for the current order is 29th May 2021. Positivity data used shall be for the week ending on this reference date and occupancy of Oxygen beds shall be taken as on this reference date.

C. In administrative units defined as in ‘A’ above, where the positivity rate is equal to or less than 10% and the occupancy of total oxygen beds available therein is less than 40%, following relaxations shall be applicable

a. All essential shops that are currently allowed to operate between 7 am and 11 am may be allowed to operate between 7 am and 2 pm.

b. In the case of all non-essential shops (stand-alone shops and not inside shopping centres/ malls). If allowed to open, they shall not be opened beyond that allowed for essential shops and shall not be allowed to open on weekends.

c. Delivery of Non-Essential items along with essential items through E-Commerce may be allowed.

d. Post 3 pm, there will be restrictions on movement except for medical and other emergencies or home deliveries.

e. All Government offices, except those involved directly for corona work in the said districts can function with 25% attendance. Local authorities may allow more than this percentage of attendance if concerned HOD requests so.

f. Agriculture sector-related shops may remain open till 2 pm on weekdays. Local authorities may extend this timing on weekdays or may allow for some period on weekends, taking into consideration the requirements of the sowing season and in view of the impending monsoon.

D. In the case of administrative units defined as in ‘A’ above, where the positivity rate is more than 20% or where occupancy of the oxygen beds available therein is more than 75%, restrictions imposed vide ‘Break the Chain’ Orders dated 12th May 2021 shall be augmented with the following:

a. The district borders of such districts will be sealed and no influx or outflow of persons into or from the district may be allowed. Only in the case of death in the family or on medical grounds or for performing duty relating to any emergency and/or essential services related to COVID 19 management, a person may be allowed to enter or leave the district with no other exceptions.

E. In all the other administrative units as defined in ‘A’ above, that do not fall under the conditions mentioned in points ‘C’ & ‘D’, all the current restrictions imposed vide Break the Chain Orders dated 12th May 2021 and clarifications/additions thereof will continue as they stand on the reference date.

The government has re-emphasised that 

a. There are no restrictions for cargo movements and deliveries to shops/establishments beyond the opening time of these are allowed for the purposes of replenishments of stock. There shall however be no serving of any customers beyond permitted times over the counter. Anyone breaking these orders shall be closed down till the period notification of Corona Pandemic is in operation in addition to fines.

b. Home deliveries are allowed during the period permitted by the local authority and must be encouraged by considering permitting for longer periods.

Pune Lockdown: Know What Will Be Allowed, Not Allowed In PMC, PCMC Areas Till June 15