Maharashtra has also eliminated the electronic pass system for interdistrict travel. (Figurative)
Mumbai:
Maharashtra, the epicenter of the coronavirus in the country, today allowed hotels and some sections of government offices to work at 100 percent of their capacity. In its guidelines issued today for Unlock4, the fourth phase of easing restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus, the state government also removed the requirement for electronic passes for interdistrict travel.
Hotels in Maharashtra will be able to operate at 100 percent capacity, but will have to vigorously maintain all security standards, per the guidelines.
Private offices will be allowed to operate at 30% capacity, up from the current rule of “10% or 10 people, whichever is more.”
Government offices can deploy 100 percent of their Group A and Group B staff, and 30 percent of the remainder, to urban hotspots for the disease, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. In the rest of the state, 50 percent of government office staff can come to work, according to the guidelines.
However, crowded places such as shopping malls, theaters and the subway will remain closed. Schools and universities will not be open either.
There will also be no social, political, sporting or religious events, the state said despite the Center’s cautious approval for resuming such gatherings on a limited basis.
Maharashtra has recorded more than 7.5 lakh of coronavirus cases, a portion of the country’s more than 36 lakh of cases. This morning, the country registered more than 78,000 new cases of the disease for the second day in a row, the highest peak in a single day that the world has seen.
The Union health ministry said seven states have contributed 70 percent of these new cases. Maharashtra has contributed the peak number of cases, amounting to almost 21%.
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