After almost two years of Covid surge, Maharashtra and the West Bengal governments, on March 31, had decided to remove pandemic-related restrictions from the state.
Mumbai: Amid a spurt of Covid positive patients in the country, authorities have been mulling to bring back certain Covid restrictions. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has made mask mandatory in public places like schools, colleges, hospitals, trains, buses, offices, cinema halls and auditoriums. Mask restriction will not be applicable at open spaces too.
The state health department has also asked authorities at district level and civic agencies to increase Covid testing at their level. “All districts should ensure the proportion of RT-PCR tests was at least 60 per cent,” a letter written by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Pradeep Vyas to district the administrations read. The state has been witnessing a rise in the number of Covid cases for some time now.
After almost two years of Covid surge, Maharashtra and West Bengal governments, on March 31, had decided to remove pandemic-related restrictions from the state. Meanwhile, the Delhi government had decided to remove the provisions to fine people for not wearing masks.
The Maharashtra government had announced to lift all the curbs in the state to celebrate the Marathi New Year known as Gudi Padwa. As per the order, people will be advised to wear masks as a precautionary measure but it will not be compulsory.
The office of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had tweeted and had said, “All COVID restrictions in Maharashtra will be lifted, as we bring in the new year this Gudi Padwa!”
In Delhi, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had also removed provisions of fines for not wearing masks in public places in the city. The decision to this effect was announced after a meeting. On April 20, the DDMA had again ordered compulsory use of mask in public places. The disaster body had also announced to impose a fine of Rs 500 for violating the order.
In West Bengal, the state government had announced that it will withdraw all Covid-related restrictions but added that wearing of masks, hand hygiene and sanitisation of public places shall continue to be strictly observed until further orders.
