Maharashtra / Maha issues fresh COVID curbs, full vaccination or RT-PCR test must to enter state

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Saturday released a new order to open up economic, social, entertainment, and cultural activities with fewer restrictions, especially for fully vaccinated persons.

Considering that fewer number of COVID positive cases being recorded over the past few months along with a consistent decline in the trend curve of cases in the country and nearby states, the Maharashtra government has decided to permit all economic, cultural, social, sports and entertainment activities as per the normal timings with immediate effect.

However, adherence to CAB (COVID Appropriate Behaviour), the requirement of being fully vaccinated for organising and participating in various public gatherings as well as to use public transport continues to be stressed.

The criterion of fully vaccinated person is defined as any individual who has “received both doses of the vaccine and 14 days have lapsed since the administration of the second dose; or Any person having a medical condition that does not allow him or her to take the vaccine and has a certificate to that extent from a recognised doctor; or A person who is less than 18 years of age”.

All domestic travellers into the state need to either be fully vaccinated or carry an RT-PCR test valid for 72 hours.

Several restrictions on attendance in any program, event, etc. continue to be in place. These include:

a. In case of any program/event/ activity happening in an enclosed/closed space like a cinema hall, theatre, marriage hall, convention hall etc, people up to 50 percent of the capacity of the space will be allowed.

b. In the case of open to sky spaces, for any events or gatherings, people up to 25 percent of space capacity will be allowed. Concerned DDMA shall have authority to decide the capacity in case of such locations of gatherings or events, if not already declared formally (like stadiums).

c. In the case the total number of people present for any gathering in accordance with the above rules exceeds 1 thousand, then the local disaster management authority will have to be informed of the same, and the local disaster management authority may send their representative to supervise as observers any such gathering and to ensure that there is strict adherence to the above-mentioned rules. The said representative of DDMA shall have authority to order closure of part or full activity if CAB is seen to be violated in large scale endangering the spread of COVID 19.

Penalities

People seen violating norms of COVID Appropriate Behaviour, which includes wearing a mask at all times in the right way, maintaining social distance (6 feet distance), hand hygiene, proper respiratory hygiene, and not spitting in public places among other practices, will be penalised. In this regard, the order states:

Any individual not following CAB expected in these rules shall be fined Rs. 500/- for each instance of default.

If the default by an individual is seen in any premises of organisation or establishment that is supposed to impose CAB on their visitors, customers etc., in addition to imposing fine on the individual, these organisations or establishments shall also be fined Rs. 10,000/-. 

If any organisation or establishment is seen to be a regular defaulter in ensuring discipline for CAB in its visitors, customers etc. such organisation or establishment shall be closed till the notification of COVID 19 as a disaster remains in force.

If an organisation or establishment fails to follow CAB or SOP itself, it will be liable to be fine of Rs. 50000/- for each instance. Frequent defaults shall lead to closure of the organisation or establishment till the notification of COVID 19 as a disaster remains in force.

If default is found inside any taxi or private transport four-wheeler or inside any bus, along with the individual defaulting CAB being fined Rs. 500/-, driver, helper or conductor who are providing service shall also be fined Rs. 500/-. 

Owner transport agency in cases of buses shall be fined Rs. 10000/- for each instance of default. Frequent defaults shall lead to withdrawal of license or closure of operations for the owner agency till the notification of COVID 19 as a disaster remains in force.

COVID Situation In Maharashtra

The order comes as Maharashtra reported 852 new coronavirus cases and 34 deaths on Friday while the number of active cases dropped below 9,000, as reported by news agency PTI.

The caseload in the state rose to 66,32,723 and death toll to 1,40,891. There are 8,106 active cases in the state now. The state has had less than 10,000 active cases for the last six days.

The recovery rate stands at 97.7 per cent while fatality rate is 2.12 per cent, the health department stated. Fourteen districts and three civic bodies did not report any new infections on Friday. Mumbai reported the highest 224 new infections, followed by 90 in Pune city.