Key Points:
- On Friday, BMC decided to not let lose the restrictions for another 2 weeks though Mumbai has moved to Level 2 of the unlock levels.
- “Mumbai has been showing a decline trend in new cases. But we don’t plan on easing further restrictions for at least next two weeks,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani, as reported by Indian Express.
- Currently, Mumbai’s weekly positivity rate stands at 4.4%. Last week, 11,878 people have tested positive of the 2.69 lakh who have taken Covid-19 tests.
On Friday, Mumbai’s Municipal Corporation, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to not let lose the restrictions for another 2 weeks though Mumbai’s Covid-19 positivity rate and oxygen bed occupancy has declined with the city moving to Level 2 of Unlock.
The first weekly updates after the Level wise distribution for the unlock were given out on June 11. It had district wise details of the positivity rates and the occupancy of oxygen beds – the two parameters on which the new system of graded unlockdown from levels 1 to 5 is determined.
Though Mumbai upgraded to Level 2 from 3, civic Chief Iqbal Singh Chahal on Friday issued fresh orders stating that Mumbai will continue to observe restrictions means for Level 3 areas. The decision was taken keeping in mind the city’s population, daily footfall in local trains and especially the weather conditions that it’s facing currently due to Monsoon.
“Mumbai has been showing a decline trend in new cases. But we don’t plan on easing further restrictions for at least next two weeks,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani, as reported by Indian Express.
Kakani added in saying that if the city again falls prey to the coronavirus increasing bed occupancies due to increased cases, BMC would again be forced to curb activities. “This will create confusion and problems in management at wards. We don’t want to open up activities and shut them again due to a rise in cases. We have decided to observe the trend for the next two weeks before we take a call,” he said.
Currently, Mumbai’s weekly positivity rate stands at 4.4%. Last week, 11,878 people have tested positive of the 2.69 lakh who have taken Covid-19 tests.
Last week, Mumbai was in Level 3 as it had 0.56% above the 5 per cent limit and hence, missed getting to the Level 2 tag.
The city has 3,416 oxygen beds occupied, which is 27% of the 12,593 oxygen beds available across all hospitals. While 1,008 ventilators are occupied, 472 are vacant.
While in Level 3, Mumbai allowed restaurants and shops to stay open until 4 pm but the malls were asked to stay shut. Restaurants and non-essential shops have to remain closed over weekends. The Local train services can be only used for medical emergency and by women besides those involved in providing essential services. But, due to the Monsoon Rains, a few locals a shut. 50% employees have been permitted to work in offices. Film and television shooting can continue in a bubble until 4 pm.
Now that the city has moved to Level 2, the curbs will be even more relaxed but, as per the guidelines, it is the BMC who will decide the rest.
