Maharashtra announced a five-step unlock plan from Monday in a late-night order yesterday, a day after the state government`s U-turn on ease of restrictions announced by a minister earlier.

The new guidelines come into effect from Monday with the districts of the state divided into five levels based on weekly positivity rate and oxygen bed occupancies.

The first level, for districts with less than five percent positivity rate and below 25 percent oxygen bed occupancy will be allowed to unlock fully with no restrictions. A number of districts come under the first level of unlocking. All restaurants, malls, salons, movie theatres, shops can open in districts under level 1.

The second level is for districts with less than five percent positivity and oxygen bed occupancy of 25 to 40 percent. Shops can reopen in districts under level 2, however, malls, restaurants, gymnasiums, salons have been allowed partial relaxations.

Marriages and gatherings have also been allowed with 50 percent capacity. Offices, too, can reopen with full capacity in districts under level 2.

Districts with a 5 to 10 percent positivity rate and 40-60 percent oxygen bed occupancy will come under level 3. State capital Mumbai has been categorized under level 3. Film shoots will now be allowed to resume in the city.

Mumbai local trains, the densely populated city`s lifeline, will however not be operational for everyone. Only essential workers can take the trains. Buses in Mumbai will be allowed to operate at full capacity however passengers will not be allowed to travel standing up to avoid crowding the bus.

Maharashtra, the worst-hit state due to the deadly coronavirus, reported over 14,000 cases in the last 24 hours taking the total infections in the state to over 58 lakhs.

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