Mumbai, 31st May 2021: As the lockdown in Maharashtra is being extended till June 15, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed concern over the crowding in Mumbai. He reminded the citizens to follow the Covid rules or strict restrictions will have to be imposed in Mumbai. He was addressing an event by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, on the occasion of a book publication of ‘Multiplastics’.

“I was shocked to see the traffic on the road today. We have not lifted the ban in Mumbai or Maharashtra. Covid’s threat is not over yet. Our careless attitude towards this will yet again have an adverse effect. If the crowds of Mumbai remain the same, then we have no option other than tightening the restrictions ” said, Thackeray.

Mumbai Metro 2A and 7 were inaugurated on Monday. Speaking on the same, Thackeray said, “This work will help us speed up our lives when the restrictions are lifted.”

On Sunday, Thackeray announced that the lockdown will remain in effect till June 15, as the number of patients has not reduced as expected despite, the second wave of Covid-19. However, the local authorities have been given the power to relax the restrictions in areas where the number of patients is low. Consequently, emergency essentials shops in cities and districts with fewer patients will be open from 7 am to 2 pm. The decision to open shops other than essential services will be taken by the Municipal Commissioner in the big cities or the District Collector in the districts. The government has given the right to allow shops to open at the local level.

There are two divisions according to the number of patients.

Restrictions will be relaxed in the A-grade, where there are less than 10 percent tested for Covid-19 and less than 40 percent of oxygen-occupied beds. Shops in such cities and districts will be open from 7 am to 2 pm. The decision to open other shops will be taken by the local administration. However, single shops will be allowed to remain open. Malls or commercial complexes will remain shut. Other shops will be open till 2 pm just like essential services. Although, shops will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays except for essential services.

Strict restrictions will be in place in the districts with more than 20 percent tests positive for the virus. The boundaries of such districts will be closed. In order to limit the mobility of the people leaving the districts or entering with more Covid patients. As it is the sowing season for farmers, shops for fertilizers, seeds, implements, etc. have been allowed to remain open till 2 pm. Local administrations are authorized to make timely decisions.

There will be no time constraint for the supply of grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, etc. Shops can remain open only for storing the goods, customers will not be allowed after 2 pm. If discovered, strict action will be taken against the concern. Hotels will be allowed only home delivery services. These rules will remain in effect till 7 am on June 15.

Which shops will be allowed?

Citizens are more curious as to whether they will be permitted to open hairdressing salons, cloth shops, etc. In cities or districts with low patient numbers, the local administration will make these decisions. In a speech to the people of the state, on Sunday, Thackeray said that he was ready to send a letter to the central government.

More concessions to Mumbai, Thane, and ten other cities?

Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivali, Vasai-Virar, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Nashik will be counted as independent administrative units. Apart from these cities, there will be separate components for other parts of the district. It was said that the plan was to relax the restrictions in big cities.