CM Uddhav Thackeray announces night curfew in Maharashtra from March 28, malls and restaurants to shut at 8 pm

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In an attempt to contain the sharp spike in Covid-19 active cases, the Maharashtra government announced that a night curfew across the state will be imposed from Sunday, March 28. Under the restrictions, the gathering of more than five people will not be allowed between 8pm and 7am. A fine of Rs 1,000 per offender has been specified in the order released by the state government.

All establishments, public places, beaches, gardens, theaters, cinema halls and malls will close at 8 pm. The enforcement on public places will start from Saturday midnight itself, said the chief secretary's order on Saturday. Violation of public place guideline will attract a penalty of Rs 1,000 per person, the order stated.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray posted about the guidelines on his Twitter handle:

Any person found to be without mask will have to pay Rs 500 in fine. Spitting at public places will cost offender a fine of Rs 1,000.

Though hotels and restaurants have been asked to not entertain guests between 8pm and 7 am, they will be allowed to make home deliveries and operate take away counters during the said time.

The new guidelines will be effective till April 15, and could be lifted or extended making them even harsher depending on the situation. CM Uddhav Thackeray decided the need of night curfew on Friday. He has warned that non- cooperation from the people might lead to lockdown in the future.

Private offices, except essential services, have been asked to operate on 50 per cent strength. The manufacturing sector can work full capacity, but it has been advised to reduce the number of workers on the floor to maintain physical distancing. To keep the production unaffected, the manufacturer may increase working shifts with permission from local authorities.

In the government offices, the respective section heads have been asked to arrange work schedules keeping in view the Covid-19 protocol. No visitor will be allowed in the government office expect for urgent work. The visitor will be issued a special pass.

The guidelines further stated that people in home isolation would be stamped and a board put up for 14 days at their locations (buildings) to indicate the presence of active patients. The medical professional treating the patient will be held responsible if home isolation is violated. The doctor may choose to be relieved as supervisor of the patient under treatment.

Families of positive patients have been advised to restrict movement. The patients will be sent to the COVID Care Centre if violation is reported.

Shopping malls, restaurants, multiplexes will have ensure that no patron is allowed to enter without masks. Temperature measuring devises and sanitisers have been made compulsory at these places. They have been asked to appoint adequate manpower to ensure that visitors are wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing on the premises. Restaurants and cinema halls will operate with 50 per cent seating capacity.

Religious places have been asked to decide on the visitors per hour depending upon the space available and follow COVID norms similar to the malls and cinema halls.

No social, political and cultural gathering will be allowed, according to the order. Violation will result in closing of the premises till the pandemic continues to be notified as a disaster by the Centre, said the state.

The government has reiterated guidelines for weddings and funerals after they were flouted by people. Maximum 50 people can attend weddings and 20 can go to a funeral. Wedding halls violating guidelines will be closed till the Centre's pandemic measures remain effective.