With a curfew in place, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has clarified that some categories of essential workers will remain exempt from the restrictions that have been imposed since Wednesday night. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed till May 1, and no person will be allowed in a public place without a valid reason.
In a meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked district collectors to enforce the restrictions strictly and take stern action against those who violate the rules, while top bureaucrats and police officers counselled against “excessive” action.
A total of 2 lakh police personnel will be on the streets of Maharashtra to enforce the curfew. An additional force of 13,200 home guards and 22 companies of State Reserve Police Force, including three companies for Mumbai and two for Pune, will be deployed as per requirement.
All establishments, public spaces, activities and services will remain closed, except for essential services that will remain open between 7 am and 8 pm on working days. Shooting for films, serials and advertisements will remain closed, and only 25 people will be allowed at marriages. Public transport, including trains and bus services, and essential services like groceries, vegetable shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, confectioneries, all types of food outlets and public utilities, will be open.
Maharashtra curfew from April 15 to May 1
With new restrictions laid down by the Maharashtra government to curb the spread of coronavirus, film shoots that were underway in the state have come to a standstill. Take a look at the Bollywood films whose shooting has come to a sudden halt.
In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has given certain exemption in the guidelines issued by the state government under Break The Chain.
-All online home deliveries of food and essential supplies (e-commerce) through all online service providers like zomato, swiggy etc, are allowed to 24-hours on all days of the week.
-Movement of maids, drivers, cooks, househelp, nurse and medical attendees providing services to senior citizens and ailing people at home is allowed between 7 am to 10 pm on all days.
-Eye clinics and optician shops will remain open between 7 am to 8 pm.
-Liquor shops are allowed to do home delivery between 7 am to 8 pm. No counter sale or take away is allowed. (Inputs from Laxman Singh)
Thursday was the first full day of curfew-like restrictions across Maharashtra as part of its 'Break the Chain' Covid-19 action plan.
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The number of active COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra is expected to double in the next 15 days, according to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The state's active caseload will reach 11.9 lakh by April 30, from the current 5.64 lakh, Thackeray said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The letter sent on Wednesday also said the medical oxygen requirement in the state is projected to reach 2,000 metric tonnes per day by April-end from the present consumption of 1,200 MT per day.
Citing logistical hurdles in the transportation of liquid medical oxygen from neighbouring states, Thackeray also sought permission under the National Disaster Management Act to airlift oxygen from steel plants in eastern and southern parts of the country. (PTI)
After Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced financial assistance for hawkers amid Covid-19 restrictions in the state, hawkers unions said the assistance offered was too little and sought more clarity on the state government’s offer.
On Tuesday, Thackeray had said that with the new curbs being implemented to break the chain of transmission, the state will spend at least Rs 5,200 crore on providing financial assistance to the poor working class.
Many entertainment bodies and broadcasters met on Wednesday and decided to make an appeal to the state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow certain production-related activity by following Covid-19 safety protocols. Film and television shoots came to a halt from Wednesday evening, as curfew-like restrictions came into force in view of a surge in infections.
Actor J D Majethia, chairperson of Indian Films and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), said: “We stand by the government decision. However, we are writing to the CM for a few exemptions during the next two weeks.” Calling those working in the field of entertainment “frontline workers”, he said the industry should be treated as “essential services”. “People look forward to entertainment and fresh content while being confined to their homes during such a trying time,” he added.
The hotels, designated as “step down facilities” where minimum medical intervention is required for Covid patients, will act as extensions of major private hospitals, according to the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). The hotels will need a minimum of 20 rooms for Covid cases and will have round-the-clock medical services including doctor consultations, nurses, medicines and ambulance transfer. The hospitals can charge up to ? 4,000 for these facilities and ? 6,000 for a room if anyone is staying with the patient.
With the addition of 5,566 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has reached 3,95,690, an official said on Thursday. Besides these new cases reported on Wednesday, the virus also claimed the lives of 33 more people, raising the death toll in the district to 6,794, he said.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in the district is 1.71 per cent, he said. So far, 3,30,876 patients have recuperated from the infection in the district, which reflects a recovery rate of 83.62 per cent. There are 58,020 active COVID-19 cases in Thane district at present, the official said. In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count stood at 61,815 and the death toll at 1,278, another official said
Mumbai hospitals will use luxury hotels to treat COVID-19 patients with milder infection, the city's administration said today as it tried to ramp up facilities for patients needing critical care with cases shooting up. Two hotels will start functioning as extensions of private hospitals from today.
In guidelines issued late Wednesday, BMC has allowed 24-hours online delivery of foods and essential supplies, and movement of domestic staff such as house helps, drivers, and medical attendants from 7 am to 8 pm. Those who have to write exams will be allowed to step out, and eye clinics and opticians will also remain open from 7 am to 8 pm.
Under the guidelines, an extension of those issued on April 7 when a few restrictions were initially imposed, liquor shops can do home deliveries between 7 am to 8 pm.
Maharashtra's in-charge DGP Sanjay Pandey on Wednesday said that no e-pass is required to be obtained for the movement of vehicles during the coronavirus-induced restrictions imposed in the state.
He said that only those vehicles that are involved in emergency services and those private vehicles that come out with a valid reason are allowed to operate during the restrictions.
Asking the people to cooperate with the government machinery in the fight against COVID-19 by not stepping out of their houses during the curbs, he said the police personnel should not penalise or lathi charge if any person comes out on the street with a valid reason of essential or emergency work. (PTI)
Pune district in Maharashtra reported 7,888 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, which took its overall tally to 6,76,014, a health official said.
The death toll due to the pandemic reached 10,989 with 94 succumbing to the infection, he said.
"Of the 7,888 new cases, 4,206 were from areas within the Pune Municipal Corporation limits, where the case count has grown to 3,44,029," he said. (PTI)
Several parts of Maharashtra wear a deserted look as curfew-like restrictions have come into effect across the state from 8 pm today amid a spike in Coronavirus cases.
Visuals from Marine Drive and Goregaon after the restrictions came into effect.
Maharashtra reports 58,952 fresh Covid-19 cases and 278 deaths. The state has recorded 35,78,160 cases till date and there are 6,12,070 active cases now.
Hours before the statewide restrictions came into effect, hundreds of migrant workers gathered at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai to return home. (Express photos by Pradip Das)
From 8 pm tonight, curfew-like restrictions have come into effect across Maharashtra in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed till May 1, and no person will be allowed in a public place without a valid reason.
Addressing a press conference at 6.30 pm Wednesday at the state police headquarters in Colaba, DGP Sanjay Pandey said, "I have asked all police unit heads to show maximum restraint while imposing the curbs. Like last year, this year we are not issuing any passes for public movement or inter-state travel. Also, people will be allowed to move out for essential reasons. We appeal to the people of Maharashtra to respect the lockdown rules and we will ensure that maximum restraint is shown by the force while implementing the lockdown."
A total of 2 lakh police personnel from Maharashtra Police will be on the streets of Maharashtra to enforce the lockdown. An additional force of 13,200 home guards and 22 companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) including 3 companies for Mumbai and 2 for Pune will be deployed as per requirement.
Unlike last year's lockdown, police personnel above the age of 50 will be on duty except those who have comorbidities. "The ones who are above the age of 50 years and have comorbidities have been advised to stay home," said Sanjay Pandey, DGP Maharashtra.
The police will team up with local municipal authorities to collect fines for Covid-19 violations like not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing.
Since the pandemic began last year a total of 36,728 police personnel got infected by the virus. As many as 373 of them died due to the virus. Presently, 3,160 personnel are infected by the virus while the remaining 33,000 odd personnel have recovered and reported back to duty. (ENS)
The Maharashtra government would study and discuss the CBSE's move of cancelling its Class 10 exam before taking any such decision for the state education board exams, minister Varsha Gaikwad said on Wednesday. The state School Education Minister made the statement in a televised message.
Talking about the decision, Gaikwad said, "We have already requested and informed other educational boards in the state about our decision of postponement of Classes 10 and 12 exams of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. We will study and discuss the Centre's (CBSE's) decision with the experts in the field." (PTI)
Mumbai reports 9,925 fresh Covid cases, 54 deaths and 9,273 recoveries.
With the restrictions across Maharashtra to come into effect tonight, DGP Sanjay Pandey tells media persons stating that he has instructed the state police force to show “maximum restraint” while dealing with citizens and appealed to the people to follow the rules.
Indian industry on Wednesday said the imposition of stricter restrictions in Maharashtra will help slow the transmission of coronavirus but it will have a deep impact on the state's economy.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a 15-day statewide curfew from Wednesday amid the spike in coronavirus cases in the state. The curfew, which exempts essential services, will come into effect from 8 pm on Wednesday.
Industry has impressed upon the states that there must be no lockdown.
Industry body FICCI said it has interactions with the Maharashtra government and the chamber has shared inputs from its members both on policy and operational issues.
"We are certainly hopeful that this (restrictions) will help slow the transmission of the virus. However, the lockdown will have a deep impact on the state's economy and FICCI Maharashtra will engage deeply with the stakeholders in the government to minimise the impact and smoothen out the implementation related issues," Sulajja Firodia Motwani, chairperson of FICCI Maharashtra, said. (PTI)
Continuing its crackdown on black-marketing of Remdesivir injections, the Crime Branch of Pune City police has arrested a medical assistant at a hospital who was selling the vials at about five times the maximum retail price.
The action comes two days after the Pune City crime branch and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in a joint operation, booked a staffer of a Covid care centre and a nurse at a private hospital for alleged illegal sale of Remdesivir injections at inflated rates. Read more
Maharashtra has approached neighbouring states for medical oxygen supply amid the COVID-19 surge, but they have expressed their inability due to its high demand there, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters here, Tope said Maharashtra will have to reduce the wastage of medical oxygen as it is in high demand now.
Medical-grade oxygen is used for the treatment of critical COVID-19 patients and in other cases of respiratory diseases.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said there is a shortage of medical oxygen and the Centre should help supply it for coronavirus patients in the state by using Air Force planes. (PTI)
FMCG firms such as ITC, Parle Products, Marico, Emami and CG Corp Global on Wednesday assured uninterrupted supply of their products based on the learnings from the previous year's lockdown, even as surge in COVID-19 cases in India forced Maharashtra to declare a 15-day curfew while other states also impose various restrictions.
"There is a lot of learning that has gone in from last year...this time things are far better managed. Companies have learnt how to deal with it.
"Governments have also learnt what they should be doing when they announce a lockdown," Parle Products Senior Category Head Mayank Shah told PTI.
Asserting that there is no worry on the supply side, he said, "There is much clarity this time. Things are smooth, even local administration knows and companies are better geared up." (PTI)
Industry body Assocham on Wednesday said it is working with the Maharashtra government to mitigate the economic impact of its 15-day curfew, and urged all states to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of the industry, particularly in the informal sectors, with the best possible relief.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a 15-day statewide curfew from Wednesday amid the spike in coronavirus cases in the state. The curfew, which exempts essential services, will come into effect from 8 pm on Wednesday.
"We would continue to remain engaged with the central and the Maharashtra governments, in our efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the 15-day Jantata Curfew in the state.
"We have also urged the federal and states to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of the industry, particularly in the informal sectors, with the best possible relief," industry body Assocham said in a statement.
Assocham said it has approached all the states and the Centre to provide liberal regulatory and financial forbearances for compliances.
Fixed charges like electricity dues, lease rentals, licence fees and other levies should be waived, to help businesses maintain continuity, it suggested. Restaurants, hotels, small eateries should be given financial support for retaining the manpower, while the formal sectors of the economy should be engaged for regulatory forbearances, Assocham added.
Sebi and other regulators should speed up clearances for those seeking to strengthen their balance sheets by fundraising from the financial markets, it added. (PTI)
Actor Alia Bhatt on Wednesday said she has tested negative for COVID-19, more than 10 days after contracting the virus.
Bhatt had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 2 and was under home quarantine.
The 28-year-old actor took to Instagram and shared a picture of herself, writing, "the only time being negative is a good thing."
Prior to her diagnosis, the actor was shooting for her upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed drama "Gangubai Kathiawadi". The production was halted after Bhatt tested positive.
Maharashtra government has put on hold films, TV serials and advertisement shoots in the state from Wednesday evening as part of the fresh guidelines to curb coronavirus cases. (PTI)
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Actor Alia Bhatt on Wednesday said she has tested negative for COVID-19, more than 10 days after contracting the virus.
Bhatt had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 2 and was under home quarantine.
The 28-year-old actor took to Instagram and shared a picture of herself, writing, 'the only time being negative is a good thing.'
Prior to her diagnosis, the actor was shooting for her upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed drama 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'. The production was halted after Bhatt tested positive.
Maharashtra government has put on hold films, TV serials and advertisement shoots in the state from Wednesday evening as part of the fresh guidelines to curb coronavirus cases. (PTI)
Taxi owners and drivers in Aurangabad have demanded that the EMIs on their vehicle loans be deferred in the wake of strict restrictions enforced in Maharashtra to check the spread of COVID-19.
The Jay Sangharsh Vahan Chalak Sanghatna, an umbrella body of taxi owners and drivers here, in a memorandum to Aurangabad collector on Tuesday said tourist and religious places in the state have been shut in the wake of the pandemic and this has adversely affected their earnings.
"We are already facing problems because of the negative impact on our income. We have taken loans to buy our vehicles and banks are demanding its repayment, due to which we are under stress," the association said in its plea. (PTI)
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused permission to a city-based trust to allow people to offer Namaz at its mosque in south Mumbai during the Ramadan period, saying the COVID-19 situation was "serious and critical" and the safety of citizens was more important.
A vacation bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and V G Bisht noted that the Maharashtra government found it expedient to impose restrictions to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus.
"The right to celebrate or follow a religious practice is important, but what is more paramount and of importance is public order and the safety of citizens," the court said.
It was hearing a petition filed by the Juma Masjid Mosque Trust, seeking permission to allow people from the Muslim community to offer the prayers five times a day at its mosque in south Mumbai. (PTI)
Amid the exodus from Maharashtra, the Central Railways has appealed to the people not to panic, and avoid crowding at stations. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Railway Police have deployed additional forces at stations to manage to rush.
"Only passengers having confirmed tickets are permitted to board the special trains and they should reach the stations one-and-a-half hours before the train's departure time," Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Pfficer Shivaji Sutar told PTI.
The spike in Covid-19 cases has also led to a rise in the medical waste generated, which includes municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomedical waste (BMW) from Covid care centres and home quarantine. Data from the BMC shows that in the first week of April, the city has already generated a daily average of 50,000 kg Covid waste; in March, this average was 39,000 kg daily.
According to data, there are 279 institutional quarantine and 5,920 residential quarantine areas from where civic staff as well as a private firm, operating a biomedical plant in Deonar, collects Covid waste. Since April 2, the total amount of BMW and MSW has crossed 50,000 kg.
Biomedical waste includes syringes, medicines, used masks, gloves, urine bags, body fluid or blood-soaked tissues or cotton, PPE used by staff on Covid duty. All of this Covid waste is being collected in yellow bags with biohazard signs on them. Other municipal solid waste like food, disposable plates generated from quarantine centres are collected in black bags. Read Laxman Singh's report
From Monday, BMC has begun sending its health workers for home inspection if a patient calls and states that she needs intensive care. Depending on medical parameters, the health workers will work with the war-room and refer the patient. The BMC has deputed at least 15,000 health workers, said Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, to do contact tracing, for home visits, and for assessing medical requirements of patients. Read more here
On Tuesday, Maharashtra reported 60,212 Covid-19 cases, 281 deaths and 31,624 recoveries. The states caseload of 35.19 lakh cases now includes around 5.93 lakh active cases, over 28 lakh recoveries and more than 58,000 deaths.
District-wise details are as follows:
The daily toll due to coronavirus infections in Vidarbha saw a significant rise on Tuesday, with the region’s 11 districts together registering 170 deaths. The previous highest death toll in the region was 147, registered on Sunday. The region also crossed 10,000 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, with the figure currently at 10,332. Of these, 5,838 deaths took place in Nagpur district.
While Nagpur district still leads the chart with 65 deaths on Tuesday, other districts in the region also reported a significant number of deaths. While Yavatmal reported 23 deaths on Tuesday, Gadchiroli, till now the least affected district, reported 20 deaths. Chandrapur (14), Akola, Bhandara and Gondia (12 each) and Amravati (8) were the other affected districts. Read Vivek Deshpande's report
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said house helps are exempt from the fresh Covid-19 restrictions in Maharashtra, and are allowed to travel and work in Mumbai. The directive came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced curfew-like restrictions in the state till May 1, under which local authorities are to take a decision on house helps.
"We will explain which works or services can remain open during the period. The break the chain restrictions will come into effect from tomorrow 8 pm. We will issue our orders before it," Kakani was quoted as saying by news agency PTI on Tuesday.
As Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced fresh restrictions on Tuesday night, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai was teeming with migrant workers. While many had anticipated a lockdown and managed to get confirmed tickets to their respective hometowns, several were seen trying to enter the station by buying general compartment tickets fearing a repeat of last year’s experience. Read Jayprakash S Naidu's report
The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has shared data with laboratories in Maharashtra showing that of 361 Covid-19 samples taken in the state from January to March and genome sequenced, 61 per cent or 220 had the double mutation E484Q and L452R, now classified as B.1.617 lineage.
On March 24, the central government had announced the detection of a double mutant variant in "15-20 per cent samples in Maharashtra" but did not link the variant with the second surge in the state. Read Tabassum Barnagarwala's report
From 8 pm tonight, curfew-like restrictions will be imposed across Maharashtra in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be imposed till May 1, and no person will be allowed in a public place without a valid reason. Here's a list of what is allowed, and what is not