Mumbai, May 3 (IANS): Spelling cheers in the Covid-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra government has permitted re-opening of wine shops in Red Zones in lockdown 3.0, albeit with certain conditions, an official said here on Sunday.

The state government has allowed all standalone shops, including liquor shops to open in red zones from Monday (May 4), though they will continue to be debarred in specified containment zones.

Wine shops shall be allowed as normal in green and orange zones, even in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) and Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) jurisdiction, but will be barred in containment zones in any zone.

While five non-essential shops can be opened in each lane, there is no restriction on the number of shops for essentials, the government added, though this will not apply to containment zones like buildings, streets, localities, wards, police station jurisdiction, etc.

Supply of goods, all essential supplies shops and movement for medical emergencies have been permitted in all zones, besides containment areas and also within civic bodies.

The government has also permitted opening of medical clinics, out-patient-departments, posts and couriers, banking and finance, agricultural activities, e-commerce essential goods, urban industries, industries with access controls, said the official.

While cars shall be allowed on a driver-plus two passengers basis in red zones, two-wheelers are permitted without pillion riders, though taxis/aggregators are barred.

In red zones, only government offices shall continue to work with 5 percent staff as in the past two lockdown periods even in lockdown 3.0.

However, relief has been granted for government and private offices in green and orange zones which can start work with 33 percent staff.

Industrial activities continue to be banned in the Red Zones comprising MMR, PMR and MMC, though private construction sites having in-situ labour can resume activities in this zone.