Work from home to resume in Maharashtra: State releases new COVID-19 guidelines

The new COVID-19 guidelines will be in effect till March 31 to curb the spread of coronavirus in Maharashtra.

File Photo (ANI)

New Delhi: Amid a surge in COVID-19 confirmed cases, the Maharashtra government on Monday (March 15, 2021) issued stricter guidelines. The new order will be in effect till March 31 to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.

"All earlier orders shall be aligned with this order and shall remain in force up to March 31, 2021," the official statement read.

The guidelines have come on a day when Maharashtra, the worst coronavirus-hit state in India, reported more than 15,000 COVID-19 confirmed infections. As per official data, the state recorded 15,051 cases in the last 24 hours, along with 48 fatalities. Maharashtra has so far witnessed 23,29,464 infections, of which, 52,909 people have succumbed to the virus.

According to the new order, several restrictions have been put on restaurants, movie halls, social gatherings, amongst other things.

Check the new guidelines:

a. All cinema halls (single screens and multiplexes)/ hotels/ restaurants to operate on 50% capacity with following restrictions:

i. No entry will be allowed without proper wearing of masks.

ii. Temperature measuring devices to be used to ensure no one with fever gets an entry.

iii. Adequate hand sanitisers to be kept at various convenient locations.

iv. Concerned establishments to ensure the presence of enough manpower to enforce wearing of masks as well as maintaining social distances by all visitors all the times.

In case of violation of this order, concerned cinema hall/hotels/restaurants shall have to remain closed for a period until the COVID-19 pandemic stays notified as a Disaster by the Central Government. The violation shall also attract penalties under the disaster act for the owner of the premises.

b. All shopping malls to adhere to following restrictions:

i. No entry will be allowed without proper wearing of masks.

ii. Temperature measuring devices to be used to ensure no one with fever gets an entry.

iii. Adequate hand sanitisers to be kept at various convenient locations.

iv. Concerned establishments to ensure the presence of enough manpower to enforce wearing of masks as well as maintaining social distances by all visitors all the times.

v. Mall management to ensure that theatres/ restaurants or any other establishments in the mall adhere to restrictions imposed herein or before and in operation now.

In case of violation, the violating mall will remain closed or a period until the COVID-19 pandemic stays notified as a Disaster by the Central Government. The violation shall also attract penalties under the disaster act for the owner of the premises.

c. No social/ cultural/ political/ religious gatherings to be allowed. The violation shall also attract penalties under the disaster act for the owner of premises. The property shall also have to remain closed till the period until the COVID 19 pandemic stays notified as a Disaster by the Central Government. 

d. Not more than 50 people will be allowed to be present only for the purpose of weddings. The violation shall also attract penalties under the disaster act for the owner of premises. The property shall also have to remain closed till the period until the COVID 19 pandemic stays notified as a Disaster by the Central Government. 

e. Not more than 20 people will be allowed to be present for the purposes of the performance of last rites. It will be the duty of the local authorities to ensure the same. 

f. Home isolation to be allowed with following restrictions: 

i. Information to this extent shall be given to the local authorities along with information of the medical professional under whose supervision the isolation will be adhered to. 

ii. A board is to be put up on the door or conspicuous location for 14 days since the beginning indicating the presence of a COVID-19 patient at the said location. 

iii. Home quarantine stamp to be affixed on the positive patient. 

iv. It is advised that members of the family also restrict their movements outside to the extent possible, and never without a mask. 

v. Any violation of isolation shall lead to immediate movement to Covid Care Center designated by the local authority. 

g. All offices except related to health and other essential services shall work with 50% of attendance. Work from home is advised. Any office found to be violating shall be closed for a period until the COVID-19 pandemic stays notified as a Disaster by the Central Government.

The management trusts of all religious places to decide and declare the maximum number of visitors per hour depending upon the availability of space for movement and gathering with proper social distancing. It is advised that convenient systems like online reservations for visits may be initiated. Entry to these places shall be subject to following restrictions:

i. No entry will be allowed without proper wearing of masks. 

ii. Temperature measuring devices to be used to ensure no one with fever gets an entry. 

iii. Adequate hand sanitisers to be kept at various convenient locations.

iv. Concerned establishments to ensure the presence of enough manpower to enforce wearing of masks as well as maintaining social distances by all visitors all the times.