New Delhi

Owing to the rising cases of COVID-19, Maharashtra government has imposed a partial lockdown across the State for 15 days beginning Wednesday evening.

The announcement was made by chief minister Uddhav Thackreray on Tuesday on social media.

As per the guidelines of the State government, section 144 of the CrPC that bars more than four people from gathering will come into force across the state from 8 pm Wednesday and so will be the night curfew. The restrictions will continue till May 1.

All establishments, public places, activities to remain closed. Essential services are exempted, and their operations will continue unrestricted.

All places of worship, schools and colleges, private coaching classes, barbershops, spas, salons and beauty parlous will remain closed in this period.

Cinema halls, theatres, auditoriums, amusement parks, gyms, sports complexes are ordered closed.  Shooting for films, serials, advertisements will also cease. All shops, malls, shopping centres not performing essential services to also remain closed.

The government will also provide 3 kg rice and two kg wheat for the coming month to all the poor families in villages across the state.

E-commerce will be only allowed for the delivery of essential goods and services. No religious, social, cultural or political functions are allowed.

The restaurants will remain open only for takeaways and not entertain guests.

Uddhav Thackeray has also made an appeal to the Prime Minister to help the state cope with paucity of oxygen cylinders and shortages of essential medicines.