Maharashtra:5 level unlock plan,18 districts to open completely

Maharashtra has decided to loosen the Covid restrictions and re- opening process will start from Friday(June 4). The state government on Thursday announced a 5-level unlock plan as the Covid numbers slowly recede. The extent of unlocking will vary from district to district ranging from level 1 to level 5. Lockdown can be lifted completely in districts categorised as Level 1. There are 18 districts in the first level including Thane.  Mumbai -- which got the situation fast under control during the second wave of the virus -- is on Level 2. The local train service, the key mode of transportation, will remain shut for now.

Level one districts will be allowed to unlock almost completely with restaurants, malls, shops and public places reopening. Offices, gyms will also be allowed to resume operations. Aurangabad, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Yavatmal, Washim, Wardha, Parbhani and Thane all under this level. According to information level 2 districts will reopen partially with gyms, salons, beauty parlours functioning at 50 per cent occupancy. But Section 144 will remain imposed in  Amravati, Hingoli, Mumbai and Nadurbar districts falling under level 2. However, Mumbai will not unlock despite having a case positivity rate below 5 per cent. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said it will watch the situation till June 15 before relaxing any curbs. Districts falling under level 3,4 and 5 will see a limited lifting of restrictions.

Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar said,"We have prepared a 5-level unlock plan for the state on the basis of positivity rate and status of occupancy of oxygen beds in the districts. Districts with the lowest positivity rate will have no restrictions." The lockdown-like restrictions across Maharashtra were imposed in April during the peak of the second wave of the pandemic.