September Lockdown: Know What Is Allowed, Not Allowed in Maharashtra

Pune, August 31, 2020: The Maharashtra government today issued fresh guidelines for September in the backdrop of Coronavirus pandemic.  

1. Containment Zones:-

i. The Containment Zones in the State will remain in force till further orders. 

ii. The directions issued by the Central Government and State Government from time to time to demarcate the Containment Zones and operations therein will be in force till further orders. 

iii. Considering the local conditions, the concerned District Collector and the Commissioners of the Municipal Corporations in the State may enforce certain measures and necessary restrictions in specified local areas on the permitted non-essential activities and the movement of persons to contain the spread of the epidemic only with the prior written approval of Chief Secretary, Maharashtra. 

Activities to remain prohibited across the State :-

1) Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till 30′ September, 2020. Online / distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged. 

2) Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (including that in malls and market complexes), bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. 

3) International Air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA. 4) Metro Rail. 5) Social /politicaU Sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations. 

– All essential shops which are allowed to remain open, shall continue to do so. 

The following activities will be allowed to operate from 2 September, 2020:-

i. All non-essential shops will be allowed to continue as per relaxations and guidelines issued from time to time. Liquor shops will continue to operate.  

ii. Hotels and lodges will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity. Separate SOP will be issued for necessary precautions to be taken while operating these establishments. 

iii. All State Governments offices (excluding Emergency, health & Medical, treasuries, disaster management, police, NIC, Food & Civil Supply, FCI, N.Y.K., Municipal Services) to work with the following strength 

a) Group A and Group B Officers at 100% strength in the entire State of Maharashtra. 

b) The staff other than Group A and Group B officers : 

• To attend the office with 30% strength or minimum 30 employees whichever is more, in Municipal corporations of MMR Region including MCGM, Municipal Corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and others as may be notified from time to time. 
• To attend the office with 50% strength or minimum 50 employees whichever is more, in rest of Maharashtra A Vigilance Officer will be appointed in every office for ensuring the norms like social distancing, face coverings, etc. to avoid the spread of Covid-19. Further, it will be ensured that every office will be equipped with necessary measures of Screening and Hygiene like thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitizers at all entry and exit points and common areas. Masks shall also be made available for employees. 

– All private offices may operate up to 30% strength as per requirement. However, all the employers will take sensitization programs to educate the employees to take adequate precautions on returning home so that vulnerable group especially the elderly is not affected. A Vigilance Officer will be appointed in every office for ensuring the norms like social distancing, face coverings, etc. to avoid the spread of Covid-19. Staggering of office timings should be encouraged and only work related movement will be allowed. 

There shall be no restriction on Inter-District movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with the neighbouring countries. No separate permission/approval / e-permit will be required for the vehicles and the persons travelling therein for such movements. 

– Passenger movement by private bus / mini-bus and other operators will be allowed. The SOP for the same will be issued by the Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra.  

– Outdoor Physical Activities with no restrictions 

– Movement of people in all public and private transport is allowed in following manner: 

Taxi/Cab/aggregator – Driver + 3 

Rickshaw – Driver + 2 

Four Wheeler – Driver + 3 

Two wheeler – 1 + 1 with helmet and mask. 

Wearing of mask shall be compulsory in transport system. 

– Protection of vulnerable persons:- Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes. 

– The movement of persons for the purposes of non-essential activities will be carried out with all necessary prescribed mandatory precautions of wearing masks, social distancing and personal hygiene.