Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said additional restrictions will be imposed for 15 days across the state from Wednesday evening in order to curb the coronavirus surge.
Section 144 (prohibitory orders) of the Criminal Procedure Code will be in force till the “lockdown-like” restrictions are in place, Thackeray said.
“We are imposing strict restrictions which will come into effect on 8 pm tomorrow. Section 144 will be imposed in the entire state from tomorrow. I will not term this as lockdown,” he said. The restrictions will be imposed till 7 am on May 1.
As per the standard operating procedures issued on Tuesday, public transport like local trains, taxis and autos will continue to operate, with restrictions, mostly for people engaged in essential services or for offices and establishments exempted from restrictions. However, the public can use public transport for a valid reason. Also, home delivery of newspapers is allowed.
Though, for a 15-day period, public transport like local trains, taxis and autos will continue to operatewith restrictions across the state, mostly for people who are engaged in essential services or for offices and establishments that have been exempted from restrictions, state government officials said that the general public can use public transport in emergencies, for essential activities or for a valid reason.
For example, students with valid hall tickets accompanied by an adult, or travellers boarding a train or flight or people going to vaccination centres can use public transport.
Private vehicles, the order makes clear, can ply only for essential/emergency purposes. “Unnecessary travel should not happen and will not even be allowed,” CM Thackeray said. A decision on allowing domestic help, drivers and attendants will have to be taken by local administrative bodies.
The state has exempted only the Pandharpur assembly constituency from these restrictions due to the scheduled bypoll which had been announced after the death of the legislator Bharat Bhalke last year. The CM said all that the lockdown-like restrictions will be imposed there only after voting day in the Pandharpur constituency, which is Saturday, April 17.