Maharashtra Unlock 4 From Today: Check What's Allowed, What's Not Even As Lockdown Extended Till Sept 30

Maharashtra Unlock 4.0 Relaxation: From hotels being allowed to operate, the state government has given nod to inter-district transport of goods and persons, private and minibus, and offices to function with 30 per cent staff, but schools and colleges to remain shut across the state.

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Maharashtra Unlock 4: A day after the culmination of the Ganapati festival, the Maharashtra government has unveiled guidelines for the fourth phase of relaxation from the Covid-19 lockdown allowing significant activities to resume in the state from Wednesday. Even as the state government has offered major relief in this phase, but the lockdown will remain extended till September 30 in order to stem the spread of coronavirus in the state, as per the chief secretary Sanjay Kumar. What has been allowed? Ease in inter-district movement: As per the guidelines, the inter-district movement of persons and goods, including those for cross-land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries has been allowed to resume from Wednesday. It means you will not be required to carry an e-pass to undergo such a trip. Hotels to function with full strength: In a further relief for the hospitality industry, hotels, guest houses and lodges in Maharashtra to resume operations with full staff strength, up from a third of their capacity since July 8. All State Governments offices (excluding Emergency, health & Medical, treasuries, disaster management, police, NIC, Food & Civil Supply, FCI, N.Y.K., Municipal Services) to work with the following strength. Private buses can ply: Private passenger buses and minibusses have been allowed to operate too. Increase in strength in offices: The state government has allowed increased attendance in offices during Unlock 4. Private offices can now operate at 30% of their strength (or 30 employees, whichever is more), according to the notification. The earlier cap was put at 10%. In order to contain the spread of the disease, a Vigilance Officer will be appointed in every office for ensuring the norms like social distancing, face coverings, etc. Now, all officers in Class A and B category in government offices have been asked to attend the office daily while the attendance of those in category C and D has been increased to 50% or minimum 50 employees in areas, excluding the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune Metropolitan Region. What’s on hold? Gyms, worship places may open later: As per the Hindustan Times report, the operations of the gymnasium and opening of the religious places are on the cards. Even the Centre has given relaxations in a phased manner and some of them come into effect from September 21, the decision on this will be taken in a phased manner. What is not allowed? Schools, colleges shut: As per the notification, schools, colleges, educational institutions, theatres, swimming pools, bars to remain closed till September 30. Cinema halls & entertainment: Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (including that in malls and market complexes), bars, auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places to remain shut. Inter-state travel remains suspended: Although the state has allowed the resumption of inter-district movement, the inter-state travel still remains suspended. Metro services to remain suspended in Mumbai: Although the Centre has allowed metro trains to resume operations from September 7, the Maharashtra government has decided to continue with the ban on operations of Metro services in Mumbai at least for one more month, according to the notification. Restrictions on gathering to continue: The restrictions on social, political, cultural gatherings, too, continue, the notification has stated. The Centre, however, has allowed academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions with a ceiling of 100 people September 21 onward.