In the wake of the rising number of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra Government announced 15 days Janta Curfew.
On the night of the 13th of April, Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra announced Janta Curfew from the 14th of April till the 1st of May. In regard to this, the Shiv Sena led State Government imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC,) which restricts gathering of more than 5 people.
The curfew would begin at 8:00 P.M., till 7:00 A.M., from the 14th of April. During the imposed curfew, the State Government urged people to follow the guidelines of the imposed janata curfew and stay indoors voluntarily.
In addition, from 7:00 A.M., to 8:00 P.M., only essential services like delivery workers, grocery stores, hospitals, medical stores, public transport and other essential commodity providers would function. Public transport would be allowed with certain restrictions which includes driver plus 2 passengers, for taxis, driver plus 50% of vehicle capacity, for bus, full capacity but no standing passengers allowed.
Trains and flights are also allowed to function normally.
Additionally, those in agriculture, warehousing, those involved in work in preparation for the monsoon, e-commerce, journalists, petrol pumps and data centres are also allowed to function during the curfew.
Restaurants and road side stalls would also be allowed to open, but only for takeaways not dine in.
Curbs and restrictions during the imposed janta curfew/lockdown:
* No one should step out unless it is an emergency.
* Private vehicles can ply only for essential/emergency purposesticket.
* No schools and colleges across the state. Private coaching to remain shut. Students travelling for exam may be allowed along with one adult on the basis of valid hall ticket.
* All restaurants and hotels to remain closed for dine in. Home delivery allowed.
* Cinema halls, drama theatres, clubs, swimming pools, gyms, amusement parks to remain shut.
* No shooting for films/serials/ads
* All shops/malls not performing essential services to remain closed.
* Public places like beaches, gardens, etc., to remain closed.
* Religious places of worship to remain closed.
* Barber shops and saloons to remain closed.
* Weddings to be allowed only with maximum 25 people present. Funerals to be allowed only with a maximum of 20 people.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra is the only state witnessing the highest single day spike and contributing to 50 % of the total active cases of COVID-19 in India. Maharashtra alone has more than 5 lakh active cases of COVID-19.
