A healthcare worker takes a COVID-19 sample | Representational image  |  Photo Credit: IANS
Mumbai: Late on Monday night, the Maharashtra government relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions for districts that have innoculated 90% of the population with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine as well as fully vaccinated (with two doses) 70% of people. Under the new guidelines all tourist spots (including national parks and safaris) will remain open as per usual. Beaches, gardens and parks will also remain open as per timings fixed by local authorities and spas will now be allowed to operate with 50% capacity.
As per the notice shared by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, there are presently 11 districts that qualify for the relations, including Mumbai and Pune. The list will be updated on a weekly basis after taking the vaccination data into consideration. As COVID-19 cases in the state continue to drop, Maharashtra on Monday reported 15,140 new infections (7,304 less than the day before) and 39 fatalities. With this, the active caseload has now come down to 2,07,350.
As per the new guidelines, amusement and theme parks, water parks and swimming pools can remain open with 50% of the operational capacity. Public spaces such as restaurants, theatres and natyagrihas can now remain operational with 50% capacity as per timings that will be decided by the DDMA.
“Bhajans and all other local, cultural and folk entertainment programs to be allowed with 50% capacity of the hall/ pandal…Marriages may have guests upto 25% of the capacity of the open ground and banquet halls, or 200 whichever is lower,” the notification added.