Maharashtra: Gyms will remain closed; check what’s allowed and what remains shut till August 31

Pune: The state government on Wednesday extended the COVID-19-induced lockdown till August 31 in due to the rising cases. With the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government has declared to extend the lockdown till August 31.

Now, a day after declaring a fresh set of guidelines for the state, the Maharashtra government on Thursday issued a clarification asserting that indoor gymnasiums and other fitness centres shall stay closed in the upcoming phase.

The Maharashtra government said, “Indoor gyms and other fitness centres to remain closed in the next phase of ‘Mission Begin Again’. Only outdoor centres for exercise and gymnastics can remain open from August 5, following all social distancing and hygiene protocols for Covid-19.”

As part of the ‘Mission Begin Again’ initiative, malls and market complexes without, food courts, theatres and restaurants will function between 9 am and 7 pm from August 5. While using the public transport system, wearing of masks will be mandatory. Check what is allowed and what’s not

WHAT’S ALLOWED

• Outdoor activities including non-team sports like golf, gymnastics, tennis, badminton and malkhamb are allowed with thorough sanitisation measures and physical distancing is to be ensured here.
• All essential and non-essential shops will continue to operate and malls and market areas will remain open between 9 am to 7 pm.
• All offices (government and private) can reopen. Private offices can operate with 10 per cent strength.
• Spas and saloons to be open with preventive measures as ordered earlier.
• Printing and distribution of newspapers permitted
• The inter-district movement will be unrestricted only for attending places of work or for a medical emergency.

WHAT’S NOT ALLOWED

• Mass gatherings and congregations continue to remain banned.
• Food courts, restaurants and theatres not allowed to operate.
• Swimming pools will remain shut in entire August.