Covid Curbs: During last year’s Ganesh Chaturthi, the state’s biggest celebration, Maharashtra, which bore the brunt of Covid’s first and second waves, imposed tight restrictions, prohibiting processions and physical “darshan” at pandals.
Mumbai: Maharashtra, which was most hit by the Covid virus, will lift all pandemic-related restrictions on Saturday as the state celebrates the Marathi New Year.
The usage of masks will be recommended but not required, according to the state administration. Masks are no longer considered “necessary” in Bengal or Delhi, while their use is recommended in congested locations.
The news came from the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“As we welcome the new year this GudiPadwa, all COVID limitations in Maharashtra will be abolished!” said a tweet from Twitter handle, alluding to the spring event that celebrates the traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus.
The decision to drop all restrictions after nearly two years was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, the state Health Minister, Rajesh Tope, told reporters.
The number of fresh daily Covid infections in the state has dwindled to around 100 a day and no new fatalities are being reported. On Monday, there were 964 active cases across 35 districts. Yavatmal, Washim and Hingoli districts have zero active cases, read a report from the state health department.
Altogether, the state has reported 78,73,619 cases of infections since the outbreak started in 2020; 1,47,780 people have died, the health department said.
Over the last couple of months, the countrywide Covid figures have also dropped. Over the last 24 hours, the country reported 1,225 new coronavirus infections, the number of active cases dipped to 14,307.The number of fatalities rose to 5,21,129 with 28 fresh deaths.
The total number of infections so far is 4,30,24,440.
Maharashtra, which bore the brunt of Covid through the first and second wave, had implemented tough restrictions, banning processions and physical “darshan” at pandals during last year’s Ganesh Chaturthi, the state’s biggest festival. The police declared that any violation will incur strict action.
“GudiPadwa marks the start of the new year.” This is the day to begin a new project while putting the old one aside. We have successfully fought the dangerous coronavirus for the past two years, and it now appears to be disappearing.
“The limitations placed during the emergency time under the Disaster Management Act as well as the Epidemic Diseases Act are being entirely withdrawn from GudiPadwa (April 2) to make a fresh start,” Thackeray said in a statement released by the CM secretariat.
He did, however, warn that in order to prevent further Covid-19 outbreaks, individuals should wear masks, practise social distance, and become vaccinated. “People should take care of themselves and others by engaging in Covid-appropriate behaviour,” Thackeray added.
According to government sources, the limits might be reinstated if the state’s Covid-19 cases grow.
According to Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope, with the Cabinet decision to abolish all limitations, measures like as required double vaccination and mask use are no longer in effect. “However, this does not mean that individuals should be complacent… they must exercise caution.”
Although wearing a mask is not required, it is recommended that people do so whenever possible in order to protect themselves and others… “As a result, we will be able to fully enjoy the next events,” he continued.
Published by: Manan Khurana
Edited By: Subbuthai Paadma
