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Lockdown 2.0: What’s changing in Mumbai from today?


Lockdown 2.0: What’s changing in Mumbai from today?
SHARES

Mumbai has been under strict lockdown for nearly a month along with the rest of the nation. However, starting Monday, April 20, some parts of the city are expected to get some relief, although users are still encouraged to stay at home. 


Permissions will be granted for industries, e-commerce services as well as restaurants for take-out services. Citizens won’t be able to walk into a restaurant, however. 


It’s worth noting that these relaxations will not apply to the 367 areas of Mumbai that have been designated as containment zones or hotspots. No social activity is encouraged in these areas. The hotspots were marked on the basis of coronavirus positive infections. 


The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) has issued fresh guidelines for Mumbai and its gradual reopening. Shops, call centres, cable, DTH services including other essential goods and fisheries are permitted in non-containment zones. However, these establishments need to make sure that employees follow strict social distancing and wear masks at all times. The same applies to industries that are permitted to run. 


Also read - BMC Office Sealed; Two Employees From Disaster Management Cell Test Positive For Coronavirus


The authorities also mentioned that adequate provision has to be made for the accommodation of workers. Contract labourers from outside the non-containment zones are not allowed to work in these establishments. 


These non-containment zones will also get access to home delivery of electronic appliances through e-commerce platforms. New passes will be issued to those seeking to reopen their establishments in non-containment areas, particularly for delivery and food take-out services. It is also recommended that industries and establishments that have elevators should not accommodate more than four people at a time.  


A circular issued by the BMC Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi reads - “Regarding construction activities of private projects, if construction workers are available at site and no workers are required to be brought from outside, and if the project construction in charge undertakes in writing to observe all Covid-19 related safety SOP, on satisfaction with the request and undertaking, respective Chief Engineer (Development plan) may permit construction activity.”


As for industries in the region, the circular mentioned -“As per directions, industries/ industrial establishments will not be allowed to operate in Mumbai limits. No worker from containment zone will be permitted to go to work in industries/ industrial establishments, permitted outside Mumbai.”

Civic officials also mentioned that not all exempted establishments can resume operations immediately. They will require prior permission from their ward authorities to restart working. Further, authorities are also permitting weddings in these zones as long as social distancing norms are followed strictly. 


Civic bodies across the city have started working on public infrastructure since early this month. It is said that nearly 2,500 labourers have been working on the city’s stormwater drains, roads, bridges, making up for a total of 112 projects. 


On April 9, the authorities resumed works on the Hancock and Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road bridge as well as the Coastal Road project. Additionally, the authorities have started road repair and reconstruction work on Kalyan Shilphatha and Pathari Pul in Kalyan.


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