State expected to ease few curbs, relax shop timings; decision soon

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government is expected to take a call on relaxations from the ongoing Covid-19-enforced lockdown in the next few days. Besides the relaxations from mandatory RT-PCR tests for domestic fliers, the state is expected to extend the timings of shops and establishments. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray may take a decision in consultation with the state-appointed task force in the next few days.

State health minister Rajesh Tope said the government is positive about relaxations for shops and restaurants, and a decision is likely to be taken soon.

Commercial establishments have been demanding relaxations in their operation timings and have said that they were ready to follow the compulsion of vaccinating staff. Tope said the final decision over it will be taken by the CM, who heads the state disaster management authority.

“There was a detailed presentation made in the state cabinet today [Wednesday], but no decision was taken over the relaxations. We have decided to do away with the mandatory RT-PCR [tests] for domestic fliers coming in from other states if they are fully vaccinated. Similarly, shopkeepers and restaurants have been demanding more relaxations for the operators fully vaccinated. The final decision will be taken by the CM,” he said.

Tope said 92% of the 104,000 active patients are in 10 districts, with the remaining 26 districts having only 8% active patients.