Mumbai: On Monday, the weekend effect on the state’s Coronavirus graph was apparent as the daily tally dropped 32% to 15,140, the lowest in 28 days. Deaths, too, dropped to 39 from 50. The number of tests in the state were lower than usual —1. 2 lakh on Sunday as against 1.7 lakh on Saturday.

Cases were down in Mumbai too, with the tally dipping below 1,000 (960) for the first time in 36 days of the Omicron wave. A BMC doctor said the cases had declined by 17% in the Sunday-Monday period despite the usual number of tests (45,618). The daily toll remained steady at 11 deaths.

With cases dropping, the state government allowed amusement parks, theme parks, swimming pools and water parks to open at 50% capacity in the 11 districts with high vaccination. Swimming pools have been allowed to reopen for the first time since the pandemic for the public.

Theatres, restaurants have also been allowed to open according to timings decided by the local district authorities with 50% capacity. At the moment, these are allowed to operate till 10 pm.

Attendance in weddings too have been increased to 25% of the capacity of the open ground and banquet hall or 200 guests, whichever is lower. Currently, the state allows a maximum of 50 people to attend weddings and 20 people to attend funerals.

“The idea is to reward high vaccine coverage districts. This will help encourage other districts to increase their pace of vaccination,” said a senior official.

The exercise will be reviewed weekly and as districts meet the target, they will be allowed to ease restrictions too. Apart from Mumbai, the 10 districts include Pune, Bhandara, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli, Gondia, Kolhapur and Chandrapur. For the state’s remaining 25 districts, most restrictions will continue.

The district disaster management authority may permit up to 25% audience in an arena to view competitive sports and other activities, including horse racing. Weekly bazaars in the 11 districts may be allowed with reasonable restrictions.