As mall is sanitised in Mumbai on August 3, 2020. (Express Photo: Narendra Vaskar)
Maharashtra, Mumbai, Thane Coronavirus Live Updates: The number of novel coronavirus cases in Maharashra has crossed 4.5 lakh, over one-fourth of which is reported from Mumbai. The state has 4,50,196 infections and 15,842 deaths; at least 1,47,018 people are being treated for the disease. Mumbai has 1,17,406 cases and 6,493 deaths.
As Maharashtra shows signs of stabilisation in its active cases, the state has begun opening up with new guidelines easing restrictions and permitting activities under its ‘Mission Begin Again’. From August 5, all shops will be allowed to open every day, and on both sides of the road from 9 am to 7 pm. Till now, only non-essential and standalone shops were allowed on one side of the road on odd days, while those on the other side were open for business on even days.
Liquor shops can commence sales in Mumbai tomorrow as well, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in an order issued Monday. Also, malls have been permitted to reopen, but restaurants, food courts and theatres will remain closed.
BMC has also restricted the movement of people for non-essential activities, like shopping and outdoor excercise, to their neighbourhoods.
In other news, a new genetic study has found the prevalence of a unique variant of the virus in Maharashtra. Scientists at the National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS) in Pune have found a region-specific variant, which has not so far been reported from other parts of the country.
Maharashtra, Mumbai, Pune Coronavirus Live Updates: At a Covid-19 testing center in Mankhurd on Tuesday. (Express Photo: Amit Chakravarty)
A new genetic study has found the prevalence of a unique variant of the virus in Maharashtra. Scientists at the National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS) in Pune have found a region-specific variant, which has not so far been reported from other parts of the country.
“We have found four variations of SARS-CoV2 (the scientific name of novel Coronavirus) to be predominant in most of the genome sequences collected from infected people in Pune, Satara and Nashik districts,” said Dr Yogesh Shouche, senior scientist at NCCS. These specific gene variations have so far not been reported from similar studies in other parts of the country, he said. Read Anuradha Mascarenhas' report
From August 5, several restrictions will be eased in Mumbai as part of the government's 'Mission Begin Again'. Non-essential shops will be permitted to open between 9 and 7 pm; malls will reopen, but without food courts, restaurants or theatres; liquor stores will reopen. Here is what will be allowed, what won't be allowed in Mumbai tomorrow
Welcome to our live blog, where we will track the latest news and updates on the novel coronavirus situation in Maharashtra. The state reported 8,968 new cases and 266 deaths on Monday, taking its caseload to 4,50,196 and toll to 15,842. There are 1,47,18 people being treated for the disease in the state, which at least 9,77,495 people are quarantined. At least 22,98 tests have been conducted.
In Mumbai specifically, there were 970 new cases and 46 deaths on Monday. This took the city's tally to 1,17,406, while the toll rose to 6,493.