Only essential services allowed to break coronavirus chain
Stopping short of announcing formally a full-fledged lockdown across the State, the Maharashtra Government has decided to impose more stern restrictions, including Section 144 of the CrPC and night curfew, ban on movement of people in public places without a valid reason and closure of all public places and private offices and activities barring the essential services, for 15 days from 8 pm on April 14 to May 1, 2021.
Announcing a new set of stern guidelines aimed at breaking the chain of rapid spread of infections announced late on Tuesday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, “Without any alternative on hand, we have imposed stern restrictions. We have already wasted enough time. Earning livelihood is important for people. But, saving lives is more important for us at this juncture.”
The night curfew will be in force from 8 pm on Wednesday. One of the major restrictions will be a ban on movement of people in public places without valid reasons as mentioned in the guidelines.
All essential services, including medical stores hospitals, supply of medicines, among others will remain operational. The local transport will also function for those involved in essential services, the CM said.
Decision regarding inclusion of domestic help/drivers/attendants to work in the exception category will be taken by the local authorities based on the local conditions, the “break the chain” issued on Tuesday night stated.
The announcement about the new restrictions came on a day when an alarming 60,212 fresh infections were recorded, while 281 more died in the State.
Hospitals, diagnostic centres, clinics, vaccinations, medical insurance offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, other medical and health services, supporting the manufacturing and distribution units along with their dealers, transport and supply chain, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines, sanitises, masks, medical equipment, their ancillaries, raw material units and support services have been exempted from the restrictions.
Among other things, groceries, vegetables shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, confectionaries, all types of food shops, public transports -including air planes trains, buses, taxies, auto rickshaws, banks e-commerce, petrol pumps, water supply services, electric and gas supply services and ATMs have been exempted from the restrictions.
Hotels and restaurants have been allowed to continue home delivery service, while restaurants and bars will remain open only for in-house guests.
As part of the restrictions, the State Government announced distribution of three kilograms of wheat, two kilograms of rice to poor people for one full month. It will give one-time assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to each registered construction workers, authorised hawkers and licenced autorickshaw drivers.
The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday announced that films, TV serials and advertisement shoots will be halted in the State from Wednesday evening as part of the fresh guidelines to curb the coronavirus cases.
BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said the state government's decision has come as a “huge shock”.
“We should have been allowed to work. Films and TV shoots were underway with complete precautions, adhering to all Government guidelines. But the complete halt of shootings is a setback. We plan to write a letter to the CM, requesting him to allow us to shoot.
“We would take utmost precaution, figure out new, stricter guidelines but if the work is stopped, it’ll be a huge loss for us,” Tiwari said.
