Maha govt withdraws lockdown relaxations for Mumbai, Pune
Mumbai, Apr 21 () The Maharashtra government onTuesday withdrew its lockdown relaxation norms for Mumbai andPune regions, both coronavirus hotspots, and revised its lastweek's guidelines prohibiting door-to-door delivery ofnewspapers and magazines in the state.
The curb on doorstep delivery of newspapers andmagazines will be in force only in the Mumbai MetropolitanRegion (MMR) and Pune city in view of the spread ofcoronavirus in these regions, the government said.
Lockdown relaxation norms for Mumbai and Pune regionswere withdrawn in view of a large number of people foundcommuting on April 20, it said.
In its April 18 notification, the government hadprohibited door-to-door delivery of newspapers and magazinesacross the state even while saying that the print media isexempted from lockdown norms from April 20.
The move had invited criticism from print media housesand also the opposition BJP.
Wherever door-to-door delivery of newspapers ormagazines is done, it shall be with knowledge of the receiver.Personnel engaged in delivery shall wear mask, use handsanitiser and follow social distancing norms, the governmentsaid in an order here.
However, given the extent of COVID-19 spread in theMMR and Pune Municipal Corporation areas, door-to-doordelivery of newspapers or magazines is prohibited in theselocalities and also all containment zones, it said.
The MMR comprises Mumbai and parts of its adjoiningdistricts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad.
On April 18, the government had said door-to-doordelivery of newspapers and magazines will remain prohibitedduring the lockdown period.
In its Tuesday order, the government saidotherlockdown relaxations, meant for select activities, will not beapplicable in the MMR and the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR).
The government said the decision has been taken inview of a large number of people found commuting because ofcertain relaxations which came into force on April 20.
Due to imminent threat of the spread of the pandemic,the orders issued on April 17, notifying relaxations, shallnot apply in the MMR and the PMR, it said.
However, guidelines pertaining to lockdown relaxationswill be applicable in other parts of the state, the ordersaid.
Similarly, outside the MMR and the PMR, vehicles usedby e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessarypermission and only delivery of essential commodities, food,pharmaceuticals and medical equipment by them will bepermitted, it said.
The earlier decision to keep confectioneries, snacksand sweet shops open in the state stands cancelled now, thegovernment said.
On April 17, the government had decided to allowselect activities in non-containment zones.
In Mumbai, earlier all urgent pre-monsoon-relatedworks were allowed, but now that stands cancelled.
The government had also allowed work in constructionprojects within municipal limits where workers are availableon the site. However, this relaxation will not be applicate inthe MMR and the PMR.
Mumbai and Pune account for a bulk of the more than4,600 coronavirus cases recorded in Maharashtra up to April20. Mumbai alone accounted for 3032 patients and Pune 594. MRRSY RSY