In an order released on Monday, May 4, 2020, the Police stated that Sec 144 has been imposed in Mumbai until May 17, 2020. This will be applicable from 8 pm to 7 am, where movement of any kind is strictly prohibited.
The order clarified that only vehicles addressing medical emergencies and the ones used for essential services will be allowed in the city, during those hours.
On May 1, 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the lockdown in selected parts of India, until May 17, where red zones and orange zones were allowed limited activities, keeping the coronavirus cases in mind. This move taken by Mumbai Police was based on the increasing cases and the need of strict protocols to curb the spread. On May 4, 2020, several liquor shops in Mumbai were opened, thereby starting the alcohol sales amidst the lockdown. People waited in long queues to buy alcohol, which raised an alarm about the risk this move could pose in the near future. Mumbaikars took to social media to share the visuals thereby criticising the move taken by the government, and some also made memes about the topic for a good laugh.
Data released by the state health department, on May 4, 2020, showed that the number of cases in Mumbai increased by 510 cases, taking the total to 9310 cases, out of which 361 deaths were reported.
Further, since the number is rising exponentially, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has marked containment zones or no-go zones in the city. More than 1500 areas in the city have been sealed as red zones and more than 900 are from congested areas. Just after the lockdown was extended, the government released the new set of guidelines clarifying what would be allowed to function in the red, orange and green zones. However, it was specified that nothing was applicable in the containment zones or red zones, and the designated areas will have to follow curfew like restrictions.
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