In the midst of rising corona virus cases with the total of 6,04,641 and deaths totaling to 17,834 in India, some of the busiest states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have taken the decision to extend the lockdown statewide till the date of 31st July. The leniency shown by public during the previous lockdown resulted in highest one day rise of corona virus cases in India and so as a precautionary step government of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu made the decision of lockdown extension with more stricter rules this time.
On looking at the COVID-19 cases touching the number of 1,64,626 in Maharashtra, the state government has made their move of extending lockdown which looked pretty mandatory at this point of time. In Maharashtra, the government announced fresh guidelines for the new lockdown and called it ‘Mission Begin Again’ as they have shifted gears and going to pose intense restrictions against any kind of nonessential activities conducted by citizens. The guidelines to the new lockdown allow the movement of a person for their nonessential activities restricted in their own neighborhoods in the Mumbai metropolitan region. Further the rules are made as per 3 divided sections of the state. In the very first section, that is the municipal corporation region of Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Malegaon, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon. Akola, Amravati and Nagpur all the essential stores which include Grocery stores, dairies, banks, petrol pumps, health care centres and many more stores that provide essential services are allowed to remain open before this order and shall continue. As per the relaxation guidelines announced on 4th June all the non-essential stores are allowed to continue their operations from 9AM to 5PM according to policy of amended by their respective municipal corporation. The same does not apply for the malls and market complexes to prevent crowding, as the per the orders there are no specific announcement made by the government on the operation of liquor shops, they’ll be allowed to continue their operations of home delivery or by the other means, only if they have the permit from their respective municipal corporation. All the e-commerce contact free deliveries whether it be an essential item or nonessential are allowed only in non-containment zones with prior temperature check and proper sanitisation of the delivery person. Same orders are needed to be followed by restaurants and tiffin providers. The government also commented on few other areas like government and privately offices, as per orders private offices can operate only with 10% of the work force with taking proper precautionary measures same applies for government offices but instead of 10% its 15% for them. All the construction and pre-monsoon sites that have the permit from their respective municipal corporation can continue their operations.
In the second section, that is the inter district area of municipal corporations under the MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) permits barber shops, spas and beauty salons as per the conditions given by the state government. State government also took Indian big fat weddings into consideration and announced certain conditions to be followed in order to organise one. Marriages and all the related gatherings are permitted to be organised on open spaces, lawns, Non air-conditioned halls as mentioned in Order dated 23 June 2020. The third section covers all the areas except the areas that are covered in section one. The activities which are not forbidden shall be continued under conditions posed by the Order. Public and private transportation will be back on track with changes in passengers capacity. All the three-wheeler vehicles will transport only 2 passengers at the maximum, same will be followed for four wheelers, on two wheelers only the rider will be allowed to travel. No further announcements are made for local trains, the local train service is still limited to essential services workers, BEST buses are increasing the maximum capacity to 50% with physical distancing and taking proper sanitation measures. In Mumbai wearing mask has been made compulsory and any violators of this rule will be fined for ?1000 and are allowed to travel within the radius of 2km from their neighbourhood.
This was the Maharashtra lockdown extension story, looking on the other side some of the other states like Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Assam have reimposed lockdowns in some of their districts in order to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
The Tamil Nadu government also announced a complete lockdown from 1st July to midnight of 31st July after a meeting in which the Chief Minister, Mr. Edappadi K Palaniswami consulted the medical experts. The lockdown extension conditions were almost similar to the highlights of the lockdown extension made in Maharashtra, no activities are entertained in the containment zones only the essential services including groceries and vegetables shops would be allowed to continue following social distancing and other norms. In regards of public transport, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, will be paused from 1st July to 15th July. In greater Chennai, and neighbouring parts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, besides in Madurai and parts of its rural hinterland a full lockdown is imposed till the midnight of July 5, thereafter general lockdown will be continued till July 31 after the expiry of the ‘full lockdown’ on the midnight of July 5. The only way we can stop these lockdowns and enjoy our normal life together is by staying at home until there are no longer coronavirus cases are in the town and following basic precautionary measures such as wearing mask and washing hands frequently. So, stay home and help the government in handling the situation on personal level.
Written by: Ankit Mistry
Sources : timesofIndia.com , economictimes.com
