Masks No Longer Mandatory In Maharashtra! Almost All Covid Restrictions Lifted | Vaccination Mandatory?

The government of Maharashtra has now announced that wearing masks is no more mandatory. The lifting of restrictions can be credited to the dwindling number of COVID-19 cases in the state and the country as well!

This will be in effect from Saturday, April 2, 2022.

Masks Not Mandatory In Maharashtra

The Health Minister of Maharashtra, Rajesh Tope confirmed this new announcement during a cabinet meeting.

He said, “From April 2nd, all Covid restrictions will be lifted in Maharashtra. No fine will be imposed for not wearing masks. We can’t say that Covid has been eradicated, I request that people wear masks. This’ll be a choice, it won’t be mandatory anymore.”

As of Wednesday, 119 fresh cases of coronavirus and two new fatalities were reported in Maharashtra. 138 patients have been discharged after a complete recovery. Maharashtra’s overall COVID-19 tally has now gone up to 78,73,841, and the death toll increased to 1,47,782. 

Recently, the Maharashtra government said that it will lift nearly all restrictions in the state.

Nearly No Restrictions In Maharashtra

Restaurants, shopping complexes, cinema halls, and theatres will be allowed to function at full capacity in 14 districts, including Mumbai. Swimming pools, religious places, entertainment parks can also function at 100% capacity in the 14 districts.

Public and private offices can operate at full capacity. Offline classes can resume at all academic institutions including preschools and anganwadis.

However, full vaccination is still required in order to enter public spaces including public transport, malls, theatres, restaurants, religious places, and tourist places.

Maximum relaxations have been granted to Mumbai, Pune, Bhandara, Sindhudurg, Nagpur, Satara, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Wardha, Sangli, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Kolhapur, where Covid-19 cases are the lowest, and which have been categorized as ‘List A’ areas.

These have been selected since over 90% of the population has received the first vaccination dose and over 70% has received the second dose. 

The positivity rate is less than 10% and oxygen or ICU bed occupancy is below 40%. Administrative units excluded from this list shall operate at 50% capacity.