Amid rising cases in Maharashtra, the state government has issued fresh restrictions to contain the rising number of news cases. On February 20, the state reported more than 6,000 new cases in a day for the first time since October last year, and more than 7,000 new cases were reported on Sunday, indicating a worsening pandemic situation.

On February 16, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray issued a stern warning to the people, asking people to follow the COVID-19 protocols or prepare for another lockdown. On Sunday in a video address, Uddhav Thackeray said the residents will be monitored for the next 10-15 days and if COVID-19 norms are flouted, he would be forced to reimpose a lockdown in the state.

What are the Fresh restrictions in the state?

• Maharashtra government has imposed a state-wide ban on religious, social, and political gatherings.

• In Pune, schools and colleges have been shut till February 28. Night curfew has been imposed in the city from 11 pm to 6 am. Restaurants and hotels will get shut by 11.00 pm every day.

• In the Vidarbha region, a week-long lockdown has been imposed in Amravati, Akola, and Buldana districts.

• In Nagpur, Schools, colleges, and coaching centres have also been ordered to be closed till March 7. Hotels will function with 50 percent capacity only and buildings will be sealed with more than five cases.

• In Nashik, a night curfew has been imposed from 11 pm to 5 pm. Wedding ceremonies will not have more than 100 guests.

• In Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued fresh guidelines including sealing of buildings where five or more cases are found. Wedding receptions are allowed only in open lawns or non-AC halls, with not more than 50 attendees. The use of masks is mandatory everywhere. Home quarantined patients will be stamped and the information of the patient will also be given to the housing societies.