The Government of Maharashtra, through a notice published on July 29, 2020, declared its decision to extend the lockdown in the state till August 31, 2020, with regards to rising coronavirus cases, which has now crossed the 4-lakh mark.
The resolution has been initiated as an "emergency step to prevent and contain" the rising number of COVID-19 instances, said a notification issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar.
Incorporating the Mission Begin Again initiative, malls, and market complexes which is not inclusive of theatres, food courts and restaurants will be working from 9 am to 7 pm from August 5, the notification mentioned.
The government, in June 2020, took the decision to lengthen the lockdown till July 31, 2020, amongst a formidable growth of the amount of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maharashtra.
The order noted that the movement of individuals for reasons that involve non-essential work like shopping and outdoor exercises will be restricted within limits of neighboring areas with the necessary precautions of wearing masks, social distancing, and personal hygiene.
Movement without any restrictions will be permitted just for going to the open places of work and for medical reasons, the notification said.
Large gatherings of individuals and congregations are to remain banned, and marriage-related gatherings will have to be limited to 50 guests, it mentioned. The highest number of persons allowed at funerals will be 20, it mentioned further.
Kitchens of food courts and restaurants will be permitted to start in those malls which will be restricted to those that have home delivery systems in place, it added.
Outdoor non-team sports like golf courses, outdoor firing range, outdoor gymnastics, tennis, outdoor badminton, and malkhamb shall be given permission as long as physical distancing and sanitation measures are followed from August 5, 2020, the order announced.
Swimming pools shall not work and remain closed.
Wearing of masks shall be deemed mandatory in the (public) transport system, it added further.
Barbershops, spa, salons, and beauty parlors have been permitted to work conditions to some stipulations since June 25, 2020, as given by another order.
With 9,211 new cases being lodged, the amount of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra on July 29, 2020, reached 4,00,651.
The state's death counts on account of the pandemic rose to 14,463 with 298 patients dying, 60 of them in Mumbai, within the day, noted health minister Rajesh Tope.
7,478 victims of the virus were also discharged from hospitals, which made the number of recovered cases in the state rise up to 2,39,755.
Maharashtra, as of July 29, 2020, has 1,46,129 active cases of the virus.
20,16,234 people have so far been tested in the state, the health department mentioned in a statement.
The Mumbai city and suburban areas recorded 1,109 and 3,324 new cases of COVID-19, respectively. The number of cases of COVID-19 in Mumbai is now 1,11,991 and death toll 6,247.
