Maharashtra extends restrictions till June 1 to check Covid spread

Maharashtra is among the states that account for 82.51 per cent of the total active cases, according to the Health Ministry.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has announced to extend the lockdown-like restrictions in the state till June 1 to arrest the spread of Covid-19. The measures will be in place till 7 am on June 1, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte said in an order issued today.

"Milk collection, transport and processing may be allowed without restrictions though its retail sale be allowed subject to restrictions imposed on shops dealing with essential items or through home delivery," it said.

Local disaster management authority (DMA) has been asked to ensure Covid Appropriate Behaviour is followed at rural markets. "Local DMA should keep special vigil over rural markets and APMCs and ensure Covid Appropriate Behaviour and in if finds any such place as difficult to  manage and discipline to ensure non-spread of Covid epidemic, local DMA may decide on a case by case basis to shut these or may impose further restrictions," it states.

"Personnel engaged in Airport and Port services and needed for movement of cargo related to medicines or equipment needed for Covid management will be allowed to travel in local, mono and metro services," read the order.

Maharashtra is among the states that account for 82.51 per cent of the total active cases, according to the Health Ministry.

The state health minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday said that amid the scarcity of vaccine doses, the state has decided to suspend vaccination of people between the age bracket of 18 to 44. Meanwhile, for people above 45, the vaccination drive will remain in place.