Maharashtra Districts With Less Cases May Get Relaxations, Guidelines In Few Days: Health Minister

State health minister Rajesh Tope had on Saturday hinted that the government could consider easing the restrictions in a phased manner after June 1.

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Mumbai: Covid-19 restrictions in Maharashtra will continue while certain districts, where cases are declining, could have some relaxation in curbs. Fresh guidelines will be issued in a few days, the state health minister informed on Thursday.

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope had on Saturday hinted that the government could consider easing the restrictions in a phased manner after June 1.

"It has been decided that all Covid-19 restrictions will not be lifted as 21 districts have more than 10 percent positivity rate. Relaxations could be given in the districts where cases are declining, guidelines will be issued in a few days," Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.

This came as the positivity rate in Maharashtra reached 12 percent and authorities believe that they have adequate supplies and medicines.

Rajesh Tope had on Saturday indicated that the government could consider easing the Covid-induced restrictions in a phased manner.

“The government will assess the situation in the last week of May. If the positivity rate falls below 10 percent and the number of active cases comes down, the state may consider easing some restrictions,” The Times of India quoted Rajesh Tope as saying.

The state health minister had added that the government would take a cautious approach considering the possibility of third wave and CM Uddhav Thackeray would announce the final decision with regard to easing restrictions.

The state authorities may slowly consider easing restrictions if the number of active cases goes down and 50 percent of hospital beds are vacant, he had said.

On April 5, the Maharashtra government imposed lockdown-like curbs followed by stricter restrictions announced on April 15.

Maharashtra has once again battled the worst Covid-19 situation with a worrying spike ahead of the second wave that hit the country. At present, Maharashtra’s overall positivity rate stands at 16.83 percent. The daily Covid-19 casualties continue to be a cause of concern as the state reported highest fatalities in the country at 1,013 deaths.