A list of FAQs has been issued on Friday by the Maharashtra government in the light of partial lockdown imposed in the state due to the surge in Covid-19.
Maharashtra with 56,286 new coronavirus cases, which took its caseload to 32,29,547 is the worst-affected state by the Covid-19 pandemic and on top of that added 59,907 cases to the daily count, which is highest ever.
A number of strict restrictions till April 30 along with the weekend lockdown was announced in order to curb the spread of the contagion. This included a night curfew and prohibitory orders during the day time.
However, there was a lot of confusion regarding the guidelines and to clear the same, list of FAQs have been released by the state government. Following is the list of the same.
LIST OF FAQs
Will the supermarkets or malls like D-Mart, Big Bazar, Reliance remain open?
All establishment selling essential item may remain open, provided that they adhere to the guidelines and Covid-appropriate behavior, between 7 AM to 8 PM. The section that does not fall under the essential items will remain closed.
Which activities will remain open, and which will remain closed during the weekend lockdown?
No person shall be allowed to move, until and unless the activity is categorized in the essential services.
Can APMC market be kept open during weekend lockdown?
Strict vigil will be kept over by the local authorities. If Covid-appropriate behaviour is not undertaken and any behaviour that may lead to further transmission of the virus, then APMC may be close after seeking the permission from the State Government.
Will the shops providing construction materials remain open?
No.
Can garages servicing transport services remain open? Can shops of automotive spare parts remain open?
Only the garages being incidental to requirement of transportation will be open. Rest all shall remain closed till the operation of Covid-19 disaster notification remains in force and strict vigil shall be kept by the local authorities.
Will employees working for the Central Government, PSU etc, be treated as an essential service provider?
No. However, only those who are working in sectors that are categorized as essential services fall under ambit of essential service providers.
Can citizen buy liquor?
Yes. As per the government order dated April 4, 2021, liquor can be bought during the time window provided in the said order for restaurants and bars. Liquor can be bought by citizens from bars (on take away basis) or as home delivery in the stipulated time. This is subject to rules of the Excise Department.
Can roadside dhaba remain open?
Yes, but only take away/delivery allowed.
Can electrical home appliance eg AC, Cooler, Fridge etc repairing shops remain open?
No.
Can telecommunication devices eg desktops/laptops, mobile etc remain open?
No.
Can Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra, SETU CSC centers, SETU Kendra, Passport Seva Kendra etc, which provide one window system for various government services be treated under essential services?
Yes. They can remain open between 7 AM to 8 PM on weekdays.
Can restaurants supply home parcels post 8 PM and before 7 AM and on weekend?
No seating dining is allowed and customers are allowed to pick up parcels from the restaurants during weekdays from 7 AM to 8 PM. Customers cannot step out to pick up parcel post 8 PM as well as on weekends.
However, home deliveries, through e-commerce, are allowed beyond these times and on weekends subject to regular timings as decided by local authorities.
Maharashtra govt amends restriction rules to add Rapid Antigen test in mandatory cases
One of the guidelines amended, apart from issuing of FAQs, is that now people can request for Rapid Antigen test which was earlier not the case as previously only RT-PCR test was valid in such situations.
The rule allowing the Rapid Antigen Test will come into effect from April 10, 2021.
All the non-vaccinated staff people were asked to produce a RT-PCR test valid for 15 days for various sectors like public transport/ private transport, films, serials, advertisements, home delivery services, examinations, marriage venues, funeral venues, vendors, labourers/ workers/ staff in the manufacturing sector, e-commerce, permitted construction activity, the RBI and any other sector.
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