Nagpur: Maharashtra on Thursday became the first state in India to drop all the Covid-19 restrictions ahead of the Marathi new year which is on April 2.
Maharashtra was the worst Covid-19-hit state in India. In a major development, the state government also announced that usage of masks will not be compulsory and will be made voluntary. However, state officials have advised the usage of masks.
Not just Maharashtra, Bengal and Delhi too have made it voluntary for people to wear masks in the states. In Maharashtra, the developments were announced by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. “All COVID restrictions in Maharashtra will be lifted, as we bring in the new year this Gudi Padwa!” Thackeray tweeted.
The decision to drop all Covid-19 restrictions was taken two years after the pandemic began, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said while addressing the reporters.
The number of fresh daily Covid infections in the state has dwindled to around 100 a day and no new fatalities are being reported. On Monday, there were 964 active cases across 35 districts. Yavatmal, Washim and Hingoli districts have zero active cases, read a report from the state health department.
