After announcing a slew of relaxations last week, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday has further eased the restrictions to curb the COVID-19 infection. This was done because the positivity rate in the city at present is 4.95%, while the oxygen beds occupancy is 23.33%. The new guidelines will come into effect from Monday (June 14).
Here's full list of guidelines issued by PMC:
1. Following shops and other establishments can remain open till 7 pm:
a. All essential category shops can remain open on all days.
b. Non-essential category shops can remain open from Monday to Friday.
c. Study rooms (Abhyasika), libraries can open with 50% seating capacity.
d. Public libraries can also open.
e. Coaching classes, training institutes can open with 50% seating capacity.
f. Malls can open with 50% capacity. However, cinema halls (single screen or multiplex), auditoriums are not allowed to open.
g. Gyms, spa, salon, beauty parlour, wellness centres are allowed to open with prior appointment with 50% capacity on all days. However, air conditioners (AC) should not be used.
h. Agriculture-related shops, APMC markets are allowed to open.
i. Liquor shops are allowed to open on all days.
2. Restaurants, Bars, Foodcourts are allowed can open till 10 pm with 50% seating capacity. Home delivery/parcel service allowed till 11 pm.
3. Local train services are allowed for women passengers, government employees, medical and essential category persons.
4. All gardens, grounds, jogging/cycling tracks are allowed to open from 5 am to 9 am; and 4 pm to 7 pm on all days.
5. Emergency government department can function with 100% capacity. Other government department offices can open with 50% capacity.
6. Private offices can work with 50% employees.
7. Outdoor games allowed on all days. Indoor games allowed from 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm.
8. Social, political, religious and entertainment functions allowed with maximum 50 people till 7 pm.
9. In wedding ceremonies, maximum 50 people allowed.
10. Funeral programs can be attended by 20 people.
11. All construction activities are allowed.
12. All e-commerce services are allowed.
13. PMPML buses allowed to operate with 50% seating capacity.
14. E-pass not required for inter-district travel.
15. Ban on the gathering of more than 5 people till 10 pm. There will be curfew after 10 pm. People can be allowed to travel during curfew only for a valid reason.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday said since the positivity rate in Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune rural is little above 5 and 10 per cent respectively. These areas will continue to have restrictions as per the level 3 and 4 respectively, he added.
"We will take review about the COVID-19 situation in the next meeting and a decision regarding the restrictions will be taken thereafter," he said.
Speaking about the Wari procession, Pawar said 100 warkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthal) each from Dehu and Alandi have been given permission to take part in the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur in Solapur district.
For the remaining eight revered 'palkhi' procession, which originate from different towns, permission for 50 warkaris has been given.
"This year also, no permission has been given for the palkhis for the journey on foot. Instead, each palkhi will be given two buses and in the bus, the padukas will be taken to Pandharpur," he said.
