MUMBAI: A day after the state government announced easing of restrictions across five levels, it was clear that while Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Thane fall in Level 3, where most sectors can be opened up but with restrictions, in the city’s neighbourhood—the Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporation and Navi Mumbai civic body—are in Level 2 and can expect significant relaxations.
Ten districts of the state and 3 municipal corporations fall under Level 1 and can go in for a complete unlock from Monday.
Aurangabad, Nagpur and Solapur civic corporations, along with districts like Ahmednagar, Jalna, Jalgaon and Latur are in Level 1, with their weekly positivity rate less than 5% and oxygen bed occupancy less than 25%.
Most districts were yet to issue official unlock orders, which are likely on Sunday, but officials said some districts were not in favour of total relaxation as they feared a fresh surge.
District collectors held a review meeting with chief secretary Sitaram Kunte on Saturday.
Corporations with a 10 lakh-plus population have been treated as entities separate from a district for the process, officials said.
Districts like Hingoli and Nandurbar are in Level 2, along with KDMC and Navi Mumbai.
In these places, all essential and non-essential shops can remain open during regular hours, while restaurants can do business, including dine-in, with 50% capacity, along with malls and multiplexes which will also function at 50% capacity.
TOI had on Saturday reported that Mumbai was in Level 3.
The BMC on Saturday reiterated this and said all relaxations allowed by the state at this level will be applicable, except that women – except those in essential services – will not be allowed to travel by local trains.
Friday’s state order had said local trains should be restricted for medical and essential workers and women.
Mumbai narrowly missed being in Level 2 as its positivity in the week May 28-June 3 was 5.56%, slightly higher than the eligible rate for Level 2 and occupancy rate was 32.51% for oxygen beds.
The NMMC narrowly missed being in Level 1 as it has a positivity rate of 2% but 26% oxygen bed occupancy; Level 1 requires 25% or less occupancy.
With Thane district falling in Level 3, smaller corporations there like Mira-Bhayandar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur and Ulhasnagar will also fall in that category.
While Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad cities are in Level 3 and will open up, rural areas of the district will go slow with Pune rural areas coming under Level 4 restrictions.
Pune divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao said the district being considered as three different units will help monitor rise in cases.
A KDMC health official said it has a positivity rate of 4.5% while bed occupancy is 33.93%.
On the other hand, the Panvel civic body is in Level 4 as it is in Raigad district.