Coronavirus cases in the state of Maharashtra have been increasing significantly and the state has seen over 15,000 cases per day. Districts like Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, and Thane have more than one like cases in total. Observing this rise, the state government, earlier in the month, extended the lockdown until October 31, 2020. Meanwhile, the government, following some directives from MHA, has also permitted selected activities to resume in Maharashtra under the unlock 5.0 guidelines.
Addressing the media, on Saturday, October 10, 2020, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope states that the government is planning to lift lockdown in Maharashtra, and the same will be applicable by the end of November 2020. All the other restrictions pertaining to lockdown might also be lifted across all sectors, which will help them begin functioning again.
Remaining businesses and services will be allowed to reopen from the end of November 2020, said Tope, while addressing the group of reporters at Ahmednagar, further adding that the government is currently planning to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of the citizens across the same.
Currently, the state has permitted bars, hotels, restaurants and eateries to resume operations with 50 per cent seating capacity. However, in the next phase of decision, officials would permit schools, educational institutions, and religious places to reopen in the state. The decision will be taken after thoroughly considering the spread of COVID19 cases.
Adding more with regards to the permissions, he stated that the restrictions will be lifted in a staggered manner and may happen over the next two months, whereby everything would reopen in Maharashtra.
Many business owners, service providers, organizations and authorities of religious places have reached out to the government seeking permissions to resume operations. However, the government has been sceptical keeping increasing cases in mind.
Protests have been staged for the same, and for the Mumbai local train services to start for the general public. In a phase-wise decision, railway authorities have been asked to permit only workers from the essential services to travel by Mumbai local. Observing this and criticising the decisions, parties like BJP and MNS have expressed anger asking the government to reconsider the current decisions for the betterment of public lives.
Data released by the state health ministry showed that coronavirus cases in Maharashtra have crossed the 15-lakh mark, and the state has also observed an increase in the number of patients who are being discharged after receiving treatment for COVID19.
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