Maharashtra to lift all COVID curbs, masks to be made optional

The decision comes nearly two years after India imposed its first lockdown in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Disaster Management Act as well as the Infectious Diseases Prevention Act will be withdrawn in the state.

The Maharashtra government has decided to lift all COVID-related restrictions in the state. The state will not enforce the restrictions meant for checking the spread of COVID-19 from April 2. The wearing of makes will also be made optional. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, “We will withdraw all the COVID-19 related restrictions from the state from Gudi Padwa. The decision has been taken today in the cabinet meeting. An order will be issued for the same. We will withdraw the order which made it mandatory to wear a mask.” 

According to the Health Minister, the decision has been taken by the Maharashtra Government with the declining cases in mind. The decision comes nearly two years after India imposed its first lockdown in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Disaster Management Act as well as the Infectious Diseases Prevention Act which were invoked with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic will be withdrawn in Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took to Twitter to announce the decision. He tweeted, “All COVID restrictions in Maharashtra will be lifted, as we bring in the new year this Gudi Padwa.” Informing about the move to reduce COVID-related curbs, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, “Restrictions like 50 per cent capacity in buses, restaurants and cinema theatres, double vaccination compulsion in travel and buses will be withdrawn.”

Maharashtra on Thursday reported 183 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the number of active cases to 902 in the state. There are currently 13,672 active COVID-19 cases across the nation.