Let’s break the chain: Maharashtra imposes two-week lockdown from 8 pm today till 7 am on May 1

Uddhav Thackeray

The state government has imposed a lockdown from 8 pm on April 14 till 7 am on May 1 in view of an unprecedented COVID-19 caseload and crumbling healthcare apparatus that may not suffice if the current growth in active cases continues. As he announced the restrictions on Tuesday night, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray sought public cooperation in following the curbs that aren't as harsh as the previous national lockdown.

People crowd the flower market outside Dadar station . Pic/Ashish Raje

Public transport, including suburban and long-distance trains, buses and taxis will run, but the latest measures will ensure that only those working in essential services use them. Section 144 (against assembly of 5 and more) and a night curfew will be in place. People will not be allowed to move in public places without valid reasons. All establishments, public places, activities, services, except those mentioned in the essential category shall remain closed.

Most of the curbs are similar to the ones imposed for weekend lockdown a week ago. Restaurants, bars, hotels, roadside eateries have been allowed only parcel and home delivery service. Considering economic needs, industrial units and factories will be allowed to operate under COVID protocols. Construction contracted by the government will not stop; real estate activity will continue, provided the workers are given on-site accommodation.

"We have spent a lot of time in discussion. This is the right time to act and enforce restrictions. Call it lockdown or whatever," said Thackeray, trying to convince the audience. According to him, the state registered a record new 60,212 active patients on Tuesday. The available 3.50 lakh beds, including all types, will be inadequate to serve the ailing people if the curbs were not imposed, he said. The state has been consuming the entire 1,200 metric tonnes of oxygen produced locally for medicinal purposes, of which about 1,000 MT needed daily for COVID care, he added.

Sale of vegetables will be allowed across the state, says government

The oxygen shortage is supposed to be reduced by getting oxygen from other states. But Thackeray said the Centre has allowed Maharashtra to transport oxygen from north-eastern states. The CM said he will ask PM Narendra Modi to allow oxygen transport by air and tell the Indian Air Force to arrange transportation. "We can't afford to run thousands of kilometers by road to transport oxygen. The daily need is huge and urgent," he said.

Uddhav urged Modi to declare the pandemic a natural calamity to facilitate the Centre's individual assistance to the affected people.

Relief for the needy

Thackeray announced a state relief package of Rs 5,400 crore for the needy whose earnings will get affected. The state will give beneficiaries for free of cost 3 kg wheat and 2 kg rice for a month. Shiv Bhojan Thali (meal programme) will distribute free meals for one month. The 35 lakh beneficiaries of five social welfare schemes will be given an advance of Rs 1,000 each.

Registered construction workers, hawkers, rickshaw drivers and tribal community members will be given a financial help of Rs 1,500-2,000.

What will remain open, what won't

Offices to work at half capacity only

The establishments include offices of central and state and local governments, including their statutory authorities and organisations; cooperative, PSU and private banks; offices of companies providing essential services; health insurance firms, many pharma company offices, RBI-regulated entities and intermediaries including standalone primary dealers, CCIL, NPCI, payment system operators and financial market participants operating in RBI regulated markets, non-banking financial corporations, micro finance institutions Advocates if operations of courts, tribunals or commissions of enquiries are on.

Staggering plan for essential shops

Local authorities can plan out staggering groceries, vegetables shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, confectionaries after considering their locations where people may assemble in large numbers. Open public spaces may also be identified for shifting their operations temporarily. Local authorities may declare some locations as closed for these operations if they spread to COVID-19. Shop owners should install transparent glass or other material shields during interaction with customers and focus more on electronic payment.

Restaurants, bars and hotels closed

All restaurants and bars to remain closed for in-dining, except for those forming an integral part of hotels. Home deliveries will be allowed but not takeaways. Restaurants and bars inside hotels will allow only in-house guests.

Roadside eatable vendors can home-deliver

No serving at the location. Parcels or home deliveries allowed between 7 am and 8 pm. Waiting customers must maintain adequate social distancing.

Ease of travel

People arriving/ departing by train/ bus/ flight may travel to the airport/ bus station/ train station or back home on the basis of a valid ticket.

Services to remain open

>>Hospitals and allied industries, including those in manufacture and distribution of vaccines, sanitizers, masks, medical equipment, their ancillaries, raw material units and supporting services
>>Veterinary services/Animal care shelters and pet food shops
>>Groceries, vegetables shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, confectionaries and food shops.
>>Cold storage and warehousing services
>>Airplanes, trains, taxis, autos and public buses.
>>Services related to functioning of offices of diplomats of various countries
>>Pre monsoon activities by local authorities
>>All public services by local authorities.
>>RBI and services designated by RBI as essential
>>All offices of SEBI-recognized market infrastructure institutions such as stock exchanges
>>Services required for restoration/ maintenance of telecom services
>>Transport of Goods
>>Water Supply Services
>>Agriculture related activities and all allied activities
>>Export-Import of all commodities
>>E-commerce (only essential goods and services)
>>Accredited Media
>>Newspapers/ magazines/ periodicals can be printed and circulated. Only home delivery is allowed
>>Petrol pumps, petroleum-related products, including offshore / onshore
>>All cargo services
Data centres/ cloud services/ IT services supporting critical infrastructure and
>>Security services
>>Electric and gas supply services
>>ATMs
>>Postal services

To remain closed

>>Cinema halls, drama theatres and auditoriums, amusement parks/arcades/ video game parlours, water parks, clubs, swimming pools, gyms and sports complexes, film and ad shoots
>>All shops, malls, shopping centres not in essential services
>>Public places like beaches, gardens and open spaces. Local authority may decide their use
>>Religious places of worship; personnel working for places of worship allowed to continue their duties but no devotees
>>Barber shops/ spa/ salon/ beauty parlours
>>Religious, social, political, cultural functions

What is on and off

Allowed

>> Groceries, fruit and veggies shops, dairies, food shops
>> Flights, trains, taxis, autos and public buses
>> E- commerce - only for essential goods and services
>> Petrol pumps

Not allowed

>> Cinema halls, swimming pools, gyms
>> Malls, shopping centers not dealing in essential services
>> Beaches, gardens
>> Places of worship