Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SS)
Mumbai, May 2: Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Friday, a few hours before the extension of the nationwide lockdown, that strict lockdown conditions will continue to be followed in 14 districts of the state that are under the Red Zone, which included Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad.
In line with the set of guidelines used by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), while some restrictions shall be eased in the Orange and Green Zones, certain economic activities will be permitted in the red zones as well.
Thackeray added that the three zones were created based on the number of cases in each district. Currently, it is not in their interest to resume normal activities in these areas. While restrictions are slowly being removed in the green zones, the number of activities permitted is being increased in some parts of the Orange Zone, he added.
According to a list issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday, out of 36 districts in the state, 14 falls in the Red Zone, 16 in the Orange Zone and 6 in the Green Zone. Some relaxations in the Red Zones as per the MHA guidelines include the reopening of private offices with 33% strength, construction activities in urban areas with on-site accommodation for workers and reopening of standalone shops, shops in residential areas and standalone liquor shops.
The relaxation guidelines issued by the MHA are under consideration of the state government. The final order may be issued on Saturday, sources said.
Uddhav said in his webcast to the residents of the state that the lockdown has helped break the transmission chain. He added that while the economic cycle has come to a halt, the major concern at present is to save the lives of the people. The government is making efforts to send migrants back to their home states. They shall be allowed to do so with due discipline and precautions and after getting permission from their states. He also added that district collectors are being instructed to make arrangements to facilitate inter-state travel.