Nagpur: Despite Nagpur district registering further improvement in parameters needed for unlocking and becoming eligible for total relaxations for the second consecutive week, guardian minister Nitin Raut has reportedly rejected the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC’s) suggestion to increase timings of essential and non-essential shops from 5pm to 7pm.
Essential and non-essential shops will continue to remain open only till 5pm from June 14 to 20.
Adding to the list to relaxations granted last week, the civic body has allowed indoor sports activities to resume along with skill development institutes and Aadhaar card centres from June 14.
Also, restaurants in malls have been permitted till 10pm.
The department of revenue, forest and disaster management on Friday released district-wise parameters — Covid-19 weekly test positivity rate (TPR) and occupancy of oxygen beds.
As per the order issued by principal secretary of disaster management, relief and rehabilitation, Aseem Gupta, weekly TPR of Nagpur district was 3.13% between June 4 and June 10.
Of the 64,089 tests conducted during the period, 2,006 came positive.
Weekly TPR of district was 17th lowest among 35 districts of the state.
Occupancy of oxygen beds was 3.93% as on June 10 — 189 occupied and 6,177 vacant.
Of the total ventilator beds, 89 beds were occupied and 604 vacant.
Thus, 278 of total 7,059 beds were occupied and remaining 6,781 were vacant.
As per the data released on June 4 for the period May 28 to June 3, weekly TPR of district was 3.86% and occupancy of oxygen beds was 8.13%.
On June 6, Raut had allowed extension in timing of essential and non-essential shops till 5pm, and restaurants and bars till 10pm.
He had then stated that further relaxations will be announced next week after reviewing the parameters.
Sources from the NMC told TOI that despite TPR of 11.11%, Pune has decided to increase timing to 7pm .
“In view of this, the civic chief here recommended extension in timings of essential and non-essential shops till 7pm.
But Raut asked the NMC to wait for one more week,” sources said.
Raut did not respond to TOI calls and message.
Last week, Raut had said though district is eligible for total relaxations, unlocking will be done in a phased manner to prevent any rise in cases.
To justify his decision, he cited massive surge in cases and deaths in the second wave after unlocking.
The order issued by Radhakrishnan B made it clear that there is no change in level of restrictions in city decided on basis of oxygen bed occupancy and TPR.
Disaster Management Authority has allowed Aadhaar card centres up to 5pm.
Skill development classes like typing, computer institutes, skill development institute related to healthcare workers can function till 5pm with 20 students in a batch or 50% of capacity of hall, whichever is less, with interval of at least one hour in batches, the order stated.
The NMC order has permitted dining in restaurants situated in malls till 10pm with 50% capacity.
In last week’s order, these restaurants were given permission up to 5pm.
But none of the restaurants reportedly reopened as customers visit only in the evening.
Last week, the civic body had allowed outdoor sports activities but restricted indoor sports.
There was strong demand from badminton players to reopen courts.
Radhakrishnan said indoor sports activities will resume from June 14.
“Amendment in this regard will be issued on Saturday,” he said.
TPR, O2 bed occupancy drop further, but Raut says no to extend shop timings
