Maharashtra eases lockdown outside red zones, shops to run with 50% staff

Non-essential delivery by e-commerce allowed in Mumbai

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday eased lockdown restrictions in areas outside 18 municipal corporations. It allowed private offices, shops, markets, and intra-district bus services with 50 per cent capacity to resume operations.
 

E-commerce delivery of non-essential items will be allowed across the state, including Mumbai, following relaxation in curbs by the Union home ministry on Sunday.
 

Sub-registrar and regional transport office for registering properties and vehicles, too, will remain open in red zones.

However, non-essential shops and wine stores may still still remain shuttered in Mumbai because of restrictions imposed by the civic body earlier this month.
 

Eighteen municipal corporations, including those in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, remain in the red zone, while areas outside it have now been classified non-red zone.
 

State Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had on Monday said the government would not lift restrictions in red zones in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“We have to ensure red zones turn into green zones. We have to overcome the Covid-19 crisis before the monsoon," Thackeray had said.
 

Malls and establishments will be allowed to open in red zones only for upkeep and maintenance and pre-monsoon preparations.

No commercial or production activity will be permitted on the premises, according to a government order issued on Tuesday.