Covid-19: Maharashtra Announces Weekend Lockdown, Night Curfew Amid Rising Cases 

The Maharashtra government has announced new curbs in the state that includes a night curfew and a weekend lockdown as Covid-19 cases surged unabated.

The weekend lockdown will start from Friday 8 p.m. and be in place till Monday 7 a.m., state minister Nawab Malik said after a cabinet meeting according to PTI. Besides, the government will also enforce a night curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily when only essential services will be allowed to function.

"Apart from the weekend lockdown, strict restrictions will be in force from 8 p.m. tomorrow, under which shopping malls, bars, restaurants,small shops will be open only for take-aways and parcels. Government offices will be allowed to function only at 50% of their capacity," Malik was quoted as saying by PTI.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144, that bar people gathering in groups of four or more, will be in place through the day, he said.

News agency ANI also quoted Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh saying that restaurants will only be allowed to operate for takeaway and home delivery services during the curfew. Detailed guidelines will be released soon, he said.

Transportation like rickshaws, taxis and private vehicles will be allowed to run on 50% sitting capacity. Shaikh also said there will be restrictions in place on visiting open areas like gardens and beaches.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray met a group of business leaders from the state to discuss the way forward amid rising cases. The virtual meeting was led by industry lobby CII President Uday Kotak, according to PTI. Other leaders who attended who participated were Baba Kalyani, Reliance Industries’ Nikhil Meswani, Ajay Piramal, Sajjan Jindal, Sanjeev Bajaj, and realtors Boman Irani and Niranjan Hiranandani.

On Saturday, Maharashtra recorded over 49,000 new cases—its highest single-day spike since the pandemic began. The state has over 4 lakh active cases.