Maharashtra announces weekend lockdown, night curfew, stricter curbs from Monday

The Maharashtra government announced several restrictions to cope with a surge in coronavirus cases, including a night curfew on weekdays, a weekend lockdown and closure of private offices.

Malls and shopping complexes will also have to shut, as will all schools and colleges in some of the most stringent curbs since the nationwide lockdown in March last year. On Sunday, Mumbai reported more than 11,000 new Covid-19 cases.

Those exempted from the private office shutdown are the banking and insurance sectors, besides other financial services, stock markets, medical services, electricity, water supply and telecom, the state government said. Those private offices that are not in the above categories will have to get their employees to work from home.


Night curfew will run from 8 pm to 7 am while weekend lockdown would be from Friday 8 pm to Monday 7 am. During night curfew, only those deemed to be essential service personnel will be allowed to commute. The understanding is that others can’t travel, even in their personal vehicles.

Reopening Linked to Jabs
Curbs go into effect on April 5.

In a detailed notification issued on Sunday night, the state government said those who are not essential services personnel won’t be able to move about in “public places without a valid reason” during the prohibited hours.

The government notification links the opening up of businesses such as stores with vaccinations. “All shop owners that are closed for now are advised to get all persons working with them to get vaccinated as per criteria of GoI… so the government can expedite reopening of the same without fear of spread,” it said.

In a further bid to push vaccinations, the government said businesses should get their employees inoculated or ensure they have a negative RT-PCR report, which will be valid for 15 days. This covers those involved in public transport, newspapers, delivery staff, as well as construction and manufacturing sector workers. The order would be applicable from April 10.

The Maharashtra government has said theatres, auditoriums, gyms, parks and playgrounds and shrines will also be shut. Takeaway services have been allowed for restaurants between 7 am and 8 pm. Bars will be shut but those in hotels can open, solely for catering to guests.

Grocery outlets, drugstores and vegetable markets, as well as those involved in essential services, will be allowed to stay open. All other shops, malls and shopping complexes will remain shut. Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said barbershops and beauty salons would also have to close.

Parks, beaches and all public areas will shut from 8 pm to 7 am. The state government said local authorities can also order these places shut in their jurisdictions for the entire day.

The government has said only seated passengers will be allowed in buses. Similar rules apply on trains, even the general compartments of long-distance ones. Government offices will function at 50% and visitors will not be allowed entry.

Multiplexes, auditoriums, video game parlours, clubs, swimming pools, sports complexes and water parks will stay shut. Places of worship will only be open to caretakers.