NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government on Saturday announced that all malls, restaurants and gardens across the state will remain shut from 8pm to 7am as part of stringent new measures to curb the alarming spread of Covid-19.
On Friday, the state government had announced that night curfew will be imposed across Maharashtra starting March 28 to bring the coronavirus situation under control.
Several districts had already imposed night curfew amid a sharp rise in cases.
In a statement, the state government said that access to beaches will also be restricted after 8pm.
The state has also banned all types of social gatherings from March 27 and ordered closure of drama theatres, the statement said.
However, home delivery of food will be allowed during the night, it said.
“Gatherings of more than five people will not be allowed from 8 pm to 7 am effective from midnight on 27th March. Violation will attract penalty of Rs 1,000 per person on offenders.
“All public places including gardens and beaches will remain closed during the same period and violators will be fined with Rs 1,000 per person. Not wearing of face mask will attract Rs 500 fine while the same is Rs 1,000 for public spitting,” as per the order.

Earlier, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had warned of stricter restrictions if the people did not observe Covid-19 safety protocols.
The chief minister had reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the state on Friday in a meeting with divisional commissioners, district collectors, superintendents of police and deans of medical colleges.
“I do not wish to impose lockdown. But there seems a possibility of healthcare facilities falling short given the rise in number of coronavirus patients,” Thackeray was quoted as saying.
The restrictions come amid a steep surge in daily new cases in the state over the past few days.
Maharashtra had reported 36,902 new cases on Friday, its highest-ever daily rise since the pandemic began.
(With inputs from PTI)