The Maharashtra government on Sunday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in the state by 15 days till June 15.
"Lockdown is being extended for 15 days, shall be in place till June 15 now. Depending on the case tally of districts, certain relaxations and restrictions will be enforced," Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.
The state government also released a set of guidelines in the wake of lockdown extension.
"All essential shops that are currently allowed to operate between 7-11 am may be allowed to operate between 7 am to 2 pm," stated the order.
While the government issued new lockdown order, netizens flooded the social media with queries. Responding to the same, the Maharashtra government has come up with a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs). Check the FAQs here:
1)Who decides whether an administrative unit for the purposes of Covid restrictions (Municipal Corporation or remaining district) fall under category covered under subsection C, D or E.
👉This decision has to be taken by DMA and declared immediately. From now on, these parameters shall be compiled for different administrative units with these requirements in mind.
2)What if positivity rates or percentage of oxygen bed occupancy of a district or a Municipal Corporation were to change?
👉Current guidelines are applicable as per the status on the Reference Date mentioned in the order i.e. 29th May 2021. District Disaster Management Authorities must review the positivity rates or percentage of oxygen bed occupancy on weekly basis preferable on Fridays so that changes may be made applicable from coming Mondays.
If the positivity rate were to change in such a way that as per these orders restrictions should relax then the District Disaster Management Authority can apply the concerned provisions with the 'Break the Chain Orders' dated 30th May 2021 with the prior consent of the SDMA.
However, if the changes in positivity rate or percentage of oxygen bed were to change so as to demand stricter restrictions, District Disaster Management Authority can impose restrictions as per the said order and intimate SDMA.
3)While calculating the percentage of oxygen beds should Ventilators beds/ ICU beds also be taken into account?
👉Any beds in the hospital/ medical facility that include the provision of oxygen supply to the patient will constitute oxygen beds.
4) What about saloons/ spa/ gym and other non-essential establishments that are not covered under order dated 30th May 2021
👉The restrictions as per prior Break the Chain Orders dated 12th May 2021 will remain in force.
5) If people from out of the All oxygen beds that are occupied by any individual district state are occupying to be counted for calculation of Oxygen Bed Occupancy.
👉All oxygen beds that are occupied by any individual district state are occupying to be counted for calculation of Oxygen Bed Occupancy.
6)What about exams like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS etc?
👉Movement of students for any exam that is being held, along with one adult is to be allowed as per standing orders. Hall ticket or any document proving this should be considered as a valid document for travel.
7)What about inter-district travel of citizens?
👉If the travel is to or from an administrative unit that has more than 20% positivity or where occupancy of oxygen beds is more than 75%, travel will not be permitted except for the reasons of death in the family/ medical grounds/ performing duty relating to emergency/ essential services.
For the travels other than to or from the above mentioned administrative unit, restrictions/ permissions for inter-district travel shall be as per the order of 12th May 2021, there is no change.
Thackeray also informed that so far as many as 3,000 cases of black fungus (mucormycosis) have been reported in the state.
Maharashtra reported 18,600 new cases of COVID-19, 402 deaths, and 22,532 discharges in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the state are 2,71,801.
The total number of cases in the state so far is 57,31,815 while the death toll is at 94,844. The total number of recovered cases is 53,62,370 in the state.
(With inputs from ANI)
