MUMBAI: Considering the reducing number of daily Covid-19 cases in 25 districts of the total 36 in the state, the MVA government may relax lockdown-like restrictions if it follows recommendations of the public health and relief and rehabilitation departments.
The relaxations may be sanctioned taking into consideration the positivity rate in areas and for people who are fully vaccinated. However, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will take a final call after meeting the state Covid task force members on Thursday.
In the state cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, most of the ministers were in favour of relaxing restrictions in districts where the positivity rate is low. CM Thackeray, however, seems not too keen to approve the relaxations considering fears of spread of disease after easing of norms, a minister said.
According to the health and relief and rehabilitation departments, of the 36 districts, 11 have a positivity rate higher than the state’s average rate, while 25 districts have a less-than-average rate. “It has been recommended that some relaxations should be provided so that timings of shops can be extended till 7 pm-8 pm in place of the current 4 pm closure deadline. Also, norms for restaurants, cinema halls and gyms can be relaxed for people who have been fully vaccinated and in districts with low positivity rate,” the minister said.
The CM, however, pointed out ministers should not go by the current positivity rate but exercise caution when allowing relaxations, the minister said.
