Mumbai will move to level 2 only after daily COVID-19 cases fall to 100-200: BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal

Mumbai: Days after the release of its five-level unlock strategy, the Maharashtra government on Friday issued an order based on oxygen bed occupancy and positivity rates as on June 10 in various districts, as per the compilation of the public health department. Based on these numbers, Mumbai was qualified to move to Level 2 with its current positivity rate of 4.40 per cent and 27.12 per cent of oxygen bed occupancy. However, BrihanMumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal, in his order, clarified that Mumbai would continue to remain at Level 3 because of its geographical nature, population density, commuters on crowded Mumbai local trains and based on the IMD forecast of heavy rains for the next few days.

Chahal said because of these factors the BMC would face difficulties in the implementation of corona management measures and therefore, Mumbai would remain under Level 3 restrictions.

Further, Chahal said that currently, there were 700-800 daily new infections being reported in Mumbai and only after the number of cases comes down to 100-200 would the city move to Level 2.

According to the government order, Level 2 restrictions will be followed where the positivity rate is below five per cent and oxygen bed occupancy is between 25 to 40 per cent. On the other hand, Level 3 curbs are applicable where positivity rate is 5 to 10 per cent and oxygen bed occupancy is more than 40 per cent.

At Level 3 restrictions, medical staff, some essential workers and women were permitted to travel by suburban trains. However, the BMC, in its order, has prohibited women in general from travelling on local trains, saying only those women, who are essential workers are allowed to do so.

“Based on the oxygen bed occupancy and positivity rate figures as on June 10 for various districts, the district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) may now decide which level of restrictions should be imposed in their respective administrative units as per the order of June 4. If a district has more than one administrative unit, then it should disaggregate and calculate these indicators for different administrative units and then decide,” said Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte in an order issued on Friday. He further added, DDMAs may issue orders at the earliest and declare levels for each such unit to come into force from Monday, June 14.