MUMBAI: Within 20 days of putting together a five-level unlock mechanism in the state, the Maharashtra government has done away with level 1 and level 2 which offered the most amount of relaxations and has made level 3 (Mumbai is at this level) as the base.
Stricter restrictions have been brought back with the emergence of the Delta plus variant in the state.
With the Friday order, there will only be three levels in the state with level 3 having the maximum relaxation.
All the districts and corporations currently in level 1 and level 2 will automatically slip to level 3.
This will also mean that malls, theatres and multiplexes will shut down in the state once again.
Most metro cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune will be in Level 3 category.
Changes have also been made to the criterion to upgrade districts to level 3 –a two-week declining trend in the weekly positivity rate and oxygen bed occupancy will be required and the weekly positivity rate will only be calculated based on the RT-PCR tests and not on any other tests.
The state has so far reported 21 cases of the Delta plus variant and the state task force was also calling for a more scientific unlock plan.
“We have reacted to the suggestions given by the state taskforce and the centre.
We cannot afford to be lenient with the new variant as it is so far reported to be the deadliest,” said a senior official.
Districts have also been asked to ensure at least 70 per cent of their targeted population is vaccinated.
There is hefty penalty for not following Covid appropriate behaviour and to not allow large gatherings and events in their areas.