Maharashtra govt announces five-level unlock plan; check out details

After taking a u-turn on the 5-level unlock plan the Maharashtra government has announced a detailed five-level plan to initiate the unlock process in the state as the Covid-19 situation improves.

In a late-night announcement, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's office has informed that relaxations will be implemented based on the positivity rate and occupancy of oxygenated beds in districts and cities.

Under the plan, districts and cities falling in “Level 1" will have the few restrictions, while those in “Level 5" will have strict restrictions.

LEVEL 1: The positivity rate in the district should be less than 5% and bed occupancy should be lower than 25%. Level 1 districts will be allowed to completely unlock and all activities will continue normally.

Level 2: The positivity rate in the district should be less than 5% and bed occupancy should be between 25% and 40%.

Level 3: The positivity rate in the district should be between 5% and 10% and bed occupancy should be more than 40%.

Level 4: The positivity rate should be between 10% and 20% or oxygen bed occupancy of more than 60%. 

Level 5: The strictest level, areas will be required to have a positivity rate of more than 20% or occupancy of oxygen beds should be more than 75%.

Districts under Level 1: Aurangabad, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Parbhani, Thane, Wardha, Wasim and Yavatmal.
Districts under Level  2: Ahmednagar, Amravati, Hingoli, Mumbai and Nandurbar.
Districts under Level  3:  Akola, Beed, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sangli,Satara, Sindhudurg and Solapur.
Districts under Level  4: Pune and Raigad district.

Establishments dealing with essential services: All the shops and establishments will be allowed to function as usual in Level 1 and 2 while they will have to shutter down after 4 pm in Level 3 and 4 areas on all days.

In Level 5, the establishments will stay open till 4 pm on weekdays and stay shut on weekends.

Non-essential items: The establishments will function as usual in Level 1 and 2, and stay shut after 4 pm in Level 3. They will not be allowed to open at all in Level 5.

Malls, theatres and multiplexes: These establishments can resume normal operations in Level 1 while they will have to function with 50% capacity in Level 2. They will stay closed in Level 3, 4 and 5.

Restaurants: In Level 1, restaurants can function as usual, while in Level 2, they will have to run with only 50% capacity.

For Level 3, they can have a 50% capacity till 4 pm and will only be allowed takeaway and parcel services after that and on weekends. People in Level 4 areas will not be allowed to dine in but only parcel and takeaway services. In Level 5, only home delivery is allowed. People cannot visit restaurants.

Marriage functions: There are no restrictions on functions in Level 1 areas. In Level 2, a marriage ceremony can take place with 50% of hall capacity and a maximum of 100 people. The number has been restricted to 50 in Level 3 and 25 in Level 4. Only family members are allowed to be present for functions in Level 5 areas.