Mumbai orders WFH amid COVIF-19 case surge
- Claire Lee
Mumbai authorities have ordered offices to work from home through April as India’s financial hub battles a new wave of COVID-19 cases.
Medical and insurance services, banks and stock exchanges will be allowed some concessions, according to an official notification, reports Bloomberg. Meanwhile all non-essential services like malls, beauty salons and places of worship were required to shut operations from 8pm this Monday.
“There is an alarming rate of growth of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country,” the Indian government said in a statement. As of Monday, the country reported 103,558 new infections, according to data from the federal Health Ministry.
As of Monday, COVID-19 infections in the state of Maharashtra accounted for over half of India’s total daily count. The state contributes to about 15% of India’s national output.
The state will also impose a full lockdown over weekends, with anyone breaking the rules subject to a fine of 500 rupees (US$7), a notable sum for locals that can buy them a second-class mid-distance railway pass for a month.
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Under government rules, transport workers, delivery staff and other personnel must be vaccinated as early as possible, while those who are not yet eligible must show a test certificate showing they are not infected, which will be valid for 15 days.
