Here’s What Has Changed in Maharashtra Lockdown Plan Amid Delta Plus Concerns

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government tightened some of the relaxations allowed under its five-tier unlock plan on Friday, following the discovery of cases of the highly transmissible Delta plus version of Covid-19 in the state.

The strain was identified as a “variant of concern” by the Union health ministry.

Here’s what is different now:

• Relaxations provided under levels 1 and 2 have been eliminated, according to the state administration, and those granted under level 3 will now be the base.

• It stated that districts/corporations that were previously classified as level 1 or 2 will now be classified as level 3.

• Malls and theatres are prohibited from opening. Restaurants are permitted to stay open until 4 p.m. with a 50% capacity.

• Local trains will be limited to medical, essential, and female passengers.

• Only from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. will public places/open grounds for walking and cycling be open.

• At government offices, 50% capacity will be allowed.

• At weddings, a maximum of 50 people are permitted, and at funerals, a maximum of 20 people are permitted.

• Only RTPCR tests would be considered for the weekly positive rate under the revised criteria.

• Overcrowding has been prohibited in festivities, gatherings, and congregations.

• The state administration stated that “a two-week lowering trend will be examined for districts to be advanced to the next level of unlocking.”