Maharashtra to ease restrictions in 25 districts including Mumbai

Mumbai: Following a meeting of Maharashtra's Covid-19 task force chaired by CM Uddhav Thackeray, Health Minister Rajesh Tope has informed that Mumbai and 24 other districts that have recorded a positivity rate lower than the state's average are likely to get more relaxation from restrictions. The government is further considering allowing fully vaccinated citizens to travel by local trains in Mumbai, he added.

"We have discussed introducing more relaxation in 25 districts, including Mumbai, where the positivity rate is much lower than the state's average. A decision with a detailed set of instructions will be out in a couple of days," he said.

However, more restrictions will be imposed in the remaining 11 districts of Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Beed and Ahmednagar, where the infection rate is high.

"If required, the local authorities may introduce more stringent restrictions (in these areas) to contain the spread of coronavirus," he said.

Regarding allowing people on board on local trains, he said, "We are still discussing the ways to verify if a passenger has taken both doses. We will also speak to the railway authorities." Currently, only those in essential and emergency services are allowed to travel by local trains in Mumbai.