MUMBAI: Despite a dip in Covid cases in the state, lockdown -like restrictions will be extended beyond June 1 with minor relaxations such as extended hours for shops selling essentials. However, sectors where social distancing is an issue like restaurants, beauty parlours and gyms are unlikely to be permitted to reopen immediately.
A discussion on the handling of the pandemic and whether curbs should be relaxed took place in the state cabinet meeting on Thursday. A final decision will be taken by CM Uddhav Thackeray after consulting the Covid task force.
Cases surging in 15 dists, need to be cautious: CM
Even though Covid infections in the state are on the decline, there are still15 districts reporting a surge. Apart from that, mucormycosis infections are on the rise and so we still have to be cautious. Rather than completely lifting the lockdown, it will be extended beyond June 1 and relaxations will be given in a staggered manner,” the CM said at the meeting.
Officials said though active cases have dipped, they are still at the level at which they were during the peak of the first wave, and hence it would be premature to open up for various activities.
Officials said it is likely that restrictions will be extended till June 15 but shops selling essentials would be allowed to stay open longer along with some in the non-essential category, especially those selling items for the monsoon.
Currently, only essential shops are allowed to remain open 7 to 11am. Officials said sectors which involve contact in enclosed spaces like restaurants, salons, gyms and even malls will not be considered for reopening till a sizable chunk of the population has been vaccinated.
Union ministry home secretary Ajay Bhalla too has written to the chief secretaries of all states asking for such containment measures to be continued. He also said that relaxations should be considered at an appropriate time in a graded manner.
