MUMBAI: In view of increasing coronavirus cases, the Mumbai police have extended prohibitory orders restricting movement of people in the city till September 30.
However, no new restrictions have been imposed, the police stressed.
"The order issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is a mere extension of our previous order (issued on 31st August) and no new-fresh restrictions have been imposed," said city police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The restrictions were extended to curb the spread of coronavirus, said a police spokesperson.
Social distancing (minimum six feet between two persons) must be followed in public places, the orders said.
"All movements of one or more persons in the area designated as Containment Zone by municipal authorities is prohibited, except for essential activities, supply of essential goods and medical emergencies," the orders stated.
All movements of one or more persons in the city is prohibited, except for medical emergencies and emergency duties, government-semi government agencies and their officials on duty, the orders said, before listing further exemptions.
Establishments providing essential services like food, vegetables, groceries, hospitals, medical shops, pathology laboratories and medical-nursing colleges, telephone-Internet services, electricity, petroleum, oil and energy related entities are exempted.
Banks, stock exchange, clearing corporations, depositories, stock brokers and SEBI registered participants operating through these institutions are too exempted.
IT, IT-enabled services, media, ports, services providing home delivery of foods, groceries and essential commodities, E-Commerce activities are also exempted.
The activities exempted as per the orders issued on August 31 by the Maharashtra government regarding easing of restrictions and phase-wise opening of lockdown (`Mission Begin Again') will be allowed.
Deputy Commissioners of Police of each zone can grant further exemptions whenever needed, the orders said.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will operate all the buses with 100 per cent passenger capacity instead of the present 50 per cent from Friday, a top official said.
Currently MSRTC buses are being run at half the passenger capacity in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
"The state government has allowed us to run the buses with 100 per cent passenger-carrying capacity instead of 50 per cent," said Shekhar Channe, vice chairman and managing director of the corporation, on Thursday.
Passengers will have to follow COVID-19 protocol such as wearing masks and using sanitizers, he said.
MSRTC restarted inter-district services from August 20 as the lockdown was eased.
It is operating 5,000 buses at present, carrying on average 5.5 lakh passengers every day.
With a fleet of over 18,000 buses, MSRTC is one of the biggest state road transport corporations in the county.