Maharashtra COVID-19 curfew: Govt adds few more curbs on essential services; Read the guidelines here

Amid ongoing curfew across the state, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday, April 20, added more restrictions as the state continues to record the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

The state health minister Rajesh Tope announced that some stricter measures are likely to be in the pipeline, including further limiting the timings of grocery stores and markets. The new restrictions will come into effect from April 20, 8 pm and will be in force till May 1, 7 am.

“This is important as a lot of people step outside and roam around in the name of purchasing groceries," Tope said while talking to the media.

This decision comes after a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to review the current situation of coronavirus in Maharashtra.

What are the new restrictions in Maharashtra?

• All groceries, vegetable shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, confectionaries, all type of food shops, shops related to farm produce, pet food shops, shops related to materials for impending rainy season for individuals/organisation to be open only between 7 am to 11 am.
• Home delivery from the said shops however may be allowed between 7 am to 8 pm. These timings are, however, subject to change by the local authority.
• The local Disaster Management Authorities are also allowed to include any additional entities or services to the essential category under Section (2) of the April 13 order of the Maharashtra government.
• All other restrictions will be in accordance with the April 13 order.

These curbs are in addition to the weekend lockdowns and other restrictions which will remain in force till April 30 under the 'Break the Chain' COVID-19 action plan.