Mumbai: Amid rising cases of coronavirus, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued fresh guidelines for the financial capital, according to which people visiting malls and shopping centres will have to undergo antigen tests or carry a negative RT-PCR report. The new rule will come into effect from March 22. Earlier it had announced that a building will be sealed if five or more coronavirus patients are spotted on the premises.

The state government has also imposed lockdown-like restrictions in several districts of Maharashtra to contain the COVID-19 spread.  Yesterday, the state had registered a new high of Covid-19 cases with 25,833 new patients, surpassing the previous single-day peak of 24,886 registered on September 11, 2020. Simultaneously, the fatalities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have surpassed the 20,000 mark to reach 20,009 with 14 deaths in the past 24 hours – making it the worst-hit in the country. 

Here is the list of fresh restrictions imposed in Maharashtra to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission

  • Wedding And Social Gatherings: Social, cultural, religious gatherings are prohibited. The cap on guests allowed for weddings has been fixed at 50. In case norms are violated, strict action will be taken against the owners of premises, like wedding halls. Only 20 people at a time can take part in funeral procession.
  • Travel Restrictions: Domestic passengers arriving from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Kerala shall carry RT-PCR negative test report with them conducted 72 hours before. Flyers will be thermally screened. If found symptomatic, they will have to get tested for COVID-19 at their own expense.
  • Work From Home For Teachers, School Staff:  BMC has asked teachers and non-teaching staff of Mumbai schools to work from home till further order.  In the fresh order, the BMC said that from 17 March, schools of all boards, till Class 12, will have to ask staff to work from home.
  • For PVRs, Hotels, Restaurants: All cinema halls, hotels and restaurants are to operate at 50 per cent capacity.