Unlock 4: No Metro For Maharashtra, New Guidelines Issued, Know What's Prohibited And What's Allowed

Maharashtra issued new guidelines for Unlock 4 and has eased some restrictions. The Maharashtra govt has prohibited metro services due to the increasing number of COVID cases

Mumbai Metro/ Getty Images

Unlock 4: Maharashtra has been the worst affected state by COVID 19 in India and as the whole country is relaxing curbs for Unlock 4 the Maharashtra government also eased a series of restrictions. Maharashtra has allowed hotels and some sections of government offices to work with 100 percent capacity. In its guidelines issued today for Unlock4, the fourth phase of relaxation from the restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, the state government also scrapped the requirement for e-passes for inter-district travel. Also Read|West Bengal: Lockdown Extended Till Sept 30, Metro Services To Resume From Sept 8; Check New Guidelines Maharashtra government has also extended the general Covid-19 lockdown in the state till September 30 as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise. These are the new guidelines to be followed during Unlock 4 in Maharashtra

• Hotels in Maharashtra will be allowed to operate with 100 percent capacity following Covid protocols
• Private offices will be allowed to operate with 30 percent capacity -- up from the present "10 percent or 10 people whichever is more" rule.
• Government offices can deploy 100 percent of their Group A and Group B staff, and 30 percent of the rest in urban hotspots of the disease including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
• The rest of the state, 50 percent of staff in government offices can come to work.
• The government also allowed passenger movement by private bus/minibus and other operators.
•  No restriction on inter-district movement of persons and goods, including those for cross-land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries from September 2.
• All essential shops which were allowed to remain open until the latest order will continue to do so
• No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for the vehicles and persons travelling therein for such movements
• Crowded places like malls, theaters, and metro rail, however, will remain shut.
• Schools and colleges to remain closed, online education to be promoted.
• No social, political, sports events or religious functions allowed in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra has logged more than 7.5 lakh cases of coronavirus --  a chunk of the country's 36 lakh-plus cases. This morning, the country registered more than 78,000 fresh instances of the disease today the second consecutive day, the maximum single-day spike the world has seen.