Mumbai’s suburban train network will be open from 15 August to fully vaccinated people 14 days after their second jab, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Sunday.
“We are providing some relaxations now but if cases go up, we will have to resort to lockdown again. So I appeal to you to not invite another wave of Covid,” CM Thackeray said in a televised address to the state.
“Local trains in Mumbai will start from 15 August for those who have been vaccinated with both the shots. We will launch an app where people can update if they have taken both doses and when they took their second dose. People can take passes either from the app or from the offices,” he said.
Passengers who have a smartphone can download the train pass through the mobile app. Passengers who do not have a smartphone can take photo passes from municipal ward offices in the city as well as suburban railway stations. Most importantly, these passes for local travel will have QR codes so that the railway administration can verify its authenticity.
“I urge you not to allow anyone to obtain passes illegally. Take two doses of the vaccine and travel,” the CM said.
CM Thackeray also said, “Gradually, as the number of passes issued increases, it will indicate that more people are getting vaccinated. Accordingly, we will start opening up everything.”
He also informed that decisions on opening of religious places are likely in a week, based on the Task Force recommendations. “The days of the festival are coming… There should not be a crowd in it, take care of it,” he said.
After the meeting of the task force tomorrow, it will be decided how long restaurants, hotels, malls and religious places can be kept open.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday announced relaxations in Covid restrictions in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The relaxations will come into effect from 9 August.
Talking to the mediapersons, he said, “Even though some relaxations have been given for now, if the positivity rate goes above 7 percent in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad area, the restrictions will be imposed like earlier. Hence everyone must follow the guidelines so that cases do not increase.”
The Deputy CM informed all the shops can remain open till 8 pm in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. “They will have one day off as per their previous schedule. All Hotels and Restaurants too can open till 10 pm on all days with 50 percent of capacity. Indoor and outdoor activities areas to remain open on all days,” he said. Shopping Malls will remain open till 8 pm on all days but entry will be only allowed to those who’re fully vaccinated.