MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi government on Thursday cut a sorry figure as minutes after the Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar announced the unlocking strategy, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a major clarification saying that lockdown continues and there will not be lifting of restrictions in 18 of the total 36 districts from Friday.
"The lockdown has not been lifted. The proposal is still under consideration," the government said. The government will issue a detailed notification in a day or two.
"We have not completely stopped the COVID-19 infection. Infection is still on the rise in some places in rural areas. Considering the deadly and changing form of the virus, it is important to decide whether or not to lift the ongoing curbs. The restrictions in the state have not been lifted," read the government in the clarification.
"Under 'Break the Chain' order, the government has begun to give some relaxations. Going forward, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is considering unlocking the state in five phases based on the weekly positivity rate and the availability of oxygen beds," it said. "Detailed guidelines regarding tightening or lifting of the restrictions will be notified by the government," it further added.
Wadettiwar, who attended the (SDMA) meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, had announced the reopening of all activities in 18 of the 36 districts. He had said the government has categorised five levels for unlocking the lockdown curbs.
"In the first phase, the districts where the COVID-19 positivity rate is 5 per cent and oxygen availability is within 25 per cent will unlock. These districts are Thane, Aurangabad, Latur, Nanded, Jalna, Parbhani, Buldhana, Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Gondia, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal," he said.
"In these 18 districts, gyms, salons, gardens, walking tracks, restaurants, malls, and theaters have been allowed to open. Private, government offices will start with 100 per cent capacity; public events, wedding ceremonies will also be allowed 100 per cent capacity. moreover, buses can operate with 100 per cent capacity and inter-district travel has also been allowed," he added. According to the ministers, e commerce companies will be functional. The private and government offices will be allowed to function with 100% staff presence.
In addition, public functions and wedding can take place. The curfew and prohibitory order under section 144 is lifted. Inter district travel is permitted but there will be restrictions on people coming from other states.
In the second level, Wadettiwar said Mumbai Mumbai Suburban, Nandurbar districts are included but the reopening will take place later. The government has already extended the lock down up to June 15. The minister clarified that the general public will not be allowed to travel in the Mumbai suburban local trains.
The government will unlock the lockdown curbs in the remaining districts in third and fourth level. The local trains will be opened for the general public in the fifth level.
However, the government reiterated that the proposal to unlock the state is still under consideration and implementation will be carried out after full review by the concerned administrative units of the districts.
After the CMO issued the clarification, Wadettiwar told reporters that "in-principle approval was given to phased lifting of lockdown curbs on the basis of positivity rate and availability of oxygen beds", but no final decision was taken. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were present at the meeting, he added. According to Wadettiwar, the CM will make a final call.
No 'unlock' is happening in the state. Even though in-principle approval has been given, the final decision will be taken by the chief minister," the Congress leader said. Maharashtra had on Thursday recorded 15,229 new COVID-19 cases and 307 deaths.
