Unlock 4.0 in Maharashtra: Here's everything that is allowed and not allowed

The Maharashtra government on Monday released fresh guidelines to ease restrictions and phase-wise opening of lockdown. The lockdown in containment zones has been extended till September 30. 

As part of the unlocking process, the Maharashtra government has allowed the private offices to work with 30 per cent strength from the 10 per cent limit. In government offices, the officers belonging to Group A (Executive) and B (Gazetted) will have to work at 100 per cent. 

However, other state government staff will attend the office with 30 per cent strength in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Municipal Corporations of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad. The strength of government staff has been increased to 50 per cent in the rest of Maharashtra. 

“A Vigilance Officer will be appointed in every office for ensuring the norms like social distancing to avoid the spread of COVID-19,” the order read while stating that staggering of office timings should be encouraged. 

Under ‘Mission Begin Again’, the state government also dropped the requirement of permission or e-permit for inter-district travel. The passenger movement by private buses and other operators will be allowed, and the Transport Commissioner will issue the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the same.

Moreover, the hotels and lodges have been allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity while keeping in mind the necessary precautions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

The schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain till September 30. Moreover, the Maharashtra government has also prohibited cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums and assembly halls to operate. 

The religious, social, political and other large congregations remain prohibited and the number of persons for marriage ceremony and funeral remains limited to 50 and 20, respectively. Along with this, the metro rail has also not been allowed to operate. 

The decision to reopen temples, monorail and local train services in Maharashtra remain unknown. The local train services in Mumbai are not open for general passengers despite several demands.