Amid growing concerns about the Delta plus variant of the coronavrius, Maharashtra has tightened some of the restrictions.
Maharashtra has done away with Level 1 and Level 2, which have minimum curbs under its 5-level unlock plan, and put all areas coming under these categories into Level 3.
In Level 3, malls and theatres will be remain closed while restaurants can operate till 4pm at 50% capacity. Local trains will be restricted to essential services workers and women. Govt offices will function at 50%.
The latest order issued by the Thackeray govt also states at officials shall consider positivity rate of 2 weeks instead of one week when they lift curbs. Also, data from only RT-PCR tests will be considered and not rapid antigen tests when decisions are taken on lifting or imposing restrictions.
The state reported its first Covid-19 death linked to the Delta Plus variant on Friday after a 80-year-old woman succumbed to the virus. Maharashtra has also become the first state to administer 3 crore vaccines doses.