State government of Maharashtra has now permitted partially vaccinated passengers to use the local trains, as confirmed by Maharashtra Minister Rajesh Tope.
Recently, we reported about school and college students who are below 18 years and not eligible for vaccination will now be allowed to board local trains in Mumbai, a move that is expected to hasten the reopening of campuses.
Partially Vaccinated Citizens Can Now Use Local Trains
The rate of COVID-19 cases is on the decrease in the state of Maharashtra, therefore, the decision to relax some of the restrictions on the citizens have been taken.
As per the current guidelines of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), those citizens that have received both doses and have completed 14 days after the second dose will be allowed to use the local trains.
This Sunday, the number of deaths by COVID-19 in Mumbai were zero for the first time since March 26, 2020. The state government has also recently allowed schools, colleges, cinemas and theatres to reopen.
Minister Rajesh Tope has also said that people who have taken a single dose will also be allowed into malls, local trains and all other places after Diwali. The final decision regarding the same will be taken by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after Diwali.
Final Decision Pending?
The final decision will also be taken after consent from the Covid Task Force and health department officials.
Recently, the Maharashtra govt announced that it will reopen all religious places starting October 7. The day also marks the starting of the auspicious days of Navratri.
“All temples in Maharashtra to be reopened from October 7, the first day of Navratri,”, said the Maharashtra chief minister’s office. It also cautioned the citizens to strictly abide by Covid-19 restrictions.
The government has also allowed cinema halls to reopen from October 22.
The Maharashtra government has also expanded the definition of fully vaccinated persons to include minors below 18 years and those having medical conditions which prohibit them from taking the Covid-19 vaccines.
Those having a medical condition that does not allow them to take the vaccine need to have a certificate issued by a recognised doctor.
The rule will continue for the first 60 days when the vaccine becomes available for those under 18.