Covid-19: Weeklong ‘lockdown’ in Amravati, Akola cities of Maharashtra; restrictions in Nagpur

NAGPUR: Looking at the massive surge in Covid-19 patients in Maharashtra's Amravati division since last week, the administration has decided to implement weeklong lockdown-like restrictions in Amravati, Akola municipal corporation areas, and several municipal council cities in both the districts.
While cases are still in control in most districts of Nagpur division, the administration has announced revised restrictions in Nagpur district and likely to announce more restrictions on Monday.
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in his Facebook live address, announced a new mantra — "I am Responsible" for the citizens of Maharashtra and allowed the local administration to announce lockdown like strict measures to control spread of coronavirus.
Before that, Amravati’s guardian minister Yashomati Thakur had a meeting with divisional commissioner and district collector. Thakur addressed a press meet following this meeting in which she announced 1 week lockdown in Amravati and Achalpur cities and very restricted business in other parts of the district. Lockdown will be imposed in Amravati from February 22. It will start from 8pm on Monday onwards and will continue in till 8pm on February 28.
Following this, Akola’s district collector Jitendra Papalkar came out with the lockdown orders in some parts of his district. Akola city, Murtijapur city and Akot city will be under lockdown from February 23 to March 1.
Other 4 districts in Amravati division will have restrictions like mid-September Covid-19 peak. Divisional commissioner Piyush Singh issued circular in this regard on Sunday. The restriction orders will be effective from midnight on February 21, 2021 till 8am on March 1, 2021.
As per the divisional commissioner’s orders, all types of shops and establishments will be open from 9am to 5pm, all types of restaurants will be allowed only in the parcel facility without the actual operation of the hotels, and only 25 persons including bride and groom will be allowed for the wedding. Religious places will continue to be open to the public, but limited to 10 persons at a time. Any person violating these orders will be booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Lockdown 2.0
Weeklong lockdown:
- Amravati city, Achalpur city, Akola city, Murtijapur, and Akot cities will be under lockdown from Monday night
- Shops except those dealing with essential commodities will remain closed
- Educational institutions, cinema halls, gyms, parks will remain shut
- Cultural, religious and other gatherings not permitted
- Will continue in till 8pm on February 28.
Restricted movements
- All types of shops / establishments will be open from 9am to 5pm.
- Restaurants will be allowed only in the parcel facility
- 25 persons including bride and groom will be allowed for the wedding.
- 50% of the total capacity in the bus will be allowed for passenger transport
- Religious places will continue to be open to the public, limited to 10 persons at a times
- Schools, colleges, educational training centres, private tutoring classes, coaching classes will be closed during the curfew in rural and urban areas of the entire Amravati division
- All types of cinemas, gymnasiums, swimming pools, recreation, parks, theatres will be closed
- Private offices will continue with 15% or at least 15 employees whichever is higher