Mumbai : With the easing of the Omicron wave, the state government on Wednesday significantly rolled back curbs in 14 districts with high vaccination rates like Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, allowing 100% capacity in shopping complexes, restaurants, theatres, gyms and religious places from Friday. However, it has insisted on double vaccination for those entering crowded public spaces, including restaurants and sporting events, and using public transport despite the Bombay High Court pushing the state to drop the rule for Mumbai’s local trains, reports Priyanka Kakodkar.

Attendance for social, political, sports and religious events has been allowed up to 50% of venue capacity. The government has also allowed government and private offices to function with full capacity across the state.

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Mumbai : The state government has allowed 14 municipalities and districts with high vaccination and low positivity and oxygen bed occupancy, greater freedom. These come under what the government has called ‘List A’, and areas in this list have also been allowed 100% capacity in cinema halls, spas, swimming pools, auditoriums, tourist spots and entertainment parks. In other districts, only 50% capacity is allowed.

“While we welcome the move to open restaurants fully, we fail to understand why not open up for the whole of Maharashtra instead of only 14 districts. This will also help the industry to bounce back in a much faster way,” said Shivanand Shetty, president of the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association.

Attendance for marriages, funerals and other social, academic, political, sports and religious events has been allowed up to 50% venue capacity in ‘List A’ districts. Where there are gatherings of more than 1,000 people, the district disaster management authority can impose restrictions. Other districts can have gatherings of up to 50% of the venue.

Offline classes have been allowed at all academic institutions, including pre-schools and Anganwadis. But these institutions are encouraged to leverage the hybrid model. Industrial and scientific institutions can also function at full capacity. Indeed, the new rules say any activity – even those not mentioned in the guidelines – can operate at 100% capacity in ‘List A’ districts and 50% in remaining areas.

There are no curbs on inter-state or intra-state travel for those who are fully vaccinated. Others will need a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours. However, the state has insisted on full vaccination for those entering crowded public spaces, including public transport, restaurants, malls, theatres, auditoriums, sporting events, tourist spots and religious places. It has also insisted on total vaccination for staff in industrial activity or offices interacting with the public and those engaged in home delivery. The district disaster management authority can enforce full vaccination on any public service activity where there is the possibility of interaction with citizens.