Maharashtra says good bye to pandemic-related restrictions from Marathi New Year

As the state celebrates the Marathi New Year on Saturday, Maharashtra, which was hardest hit by the Covid virus, will be free of all pandemic-related restrictions. The use of masks will be recommended but not required, according to the state government. The Office of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also made the announcement.

"As we usher in the new year this Gudi Padwa, all COVID restrictions in Maharashtra will be lifted!" read a tweet from its handle, referring to the spring festival that celebrates Marathi and Konkani Hindus' traditional New Year.

According to state Health Minister Rajesh Tope, the decision to lift all restrictions after nearly two years was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

The number of new Covid infections per day in the state has dropped to around 100 per day, with no new fatalities reported. There were 964 active cases across 35 districts on Monday. According to a state health department report, the districts of Yavatmal, Washim, and Hingoli have no active cases.

Since the outbreak began in 2020, the state has reported 78,73,619 cases of infection, with 1,47,780 people dying, according to the health department.

So far, 4,30,24,440 people have been infected.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday decided to do away with a fine for not wearing face masks in public places amid a fall in Covid-19 cases. The nationwide tally currently stood below the 1,500-mark.