MUMBAI: Late night on Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday announced curfew-like restrictions on the movement of people and shutting down of all establishments except essential services providers in the state from 8 pm on April 14 to May 1, 2021, in the state.

The state order on the restrictions issued by the administration is not calling it a lock-down but 'Break the Chain' to contain the rapid surge of COVID-19 infections over the past few days in the second wave.

As per the order under 'Break the Chain', prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be imposed in the state from Wednesday night and will remain in force until the early morning of May 1.

It further says that no one is allowed to move in a public place without a valid reason and all establishments including cinemas and malls, public spaces, activities and services will remain closed, except for essential services that will remain open between 7 am and 8 pm on working days. 

Shooting for films, serials and advertisements will remain closed, and only 25 people will be allowed at marriages and for funerals on 20 people will be allowed.

In the essential services apart from hospitals, medical facilities and support services, the state has allowed groceries, vegetable shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, confectioneries, all types of food outlets and public utilities to remain open.

Certain government offices like the Reserve Bank of India, stock markets, public transport, including trains and bus services, autorickshaws with driver and only 2 passengers, Taxi with driver and 50 per cent of vehicle capacity will be allowed.

In the relief package of Rs 5,476 crore, the CM announced some direct financial credits. Rs 1,500 each will be given to 5 lakh licensed hawkers and 12 lakh auto-rickshaw drivers. Rs 2,000 will be given for one month for each tribal family, which is availing the benefits of the small loans for non-agricultural purposes scheme. This direct transfer is expected to benefit 12 lakh, tribal families.

The CM further said that about 12 lakh registered construction workers in the state will also get Rs 1,500 each this month, and funds have been allocated for various welfare schemes targeting 25 lakh domestic workers. About 35 lakh beneficiaries of pension schemes will get Rs 1,000 as assistance in advance for two months.  

Apart from the financial credits, the government will also supply 3 kg of wheat and 2 kg of rice per person free of cost for one month to beneficiaries of the Food Security Scheme. A meal scheme, 'Shiv Bhojan Thali, will provide food free of cost to people for one month with a target of 2 lakh thalis in a month Thakeray said.