One more week like this for Mumbai, city to remain at Level 3

Despite being eligible for relaxations as per Level 1 for the second consecutive week the BMC has decided to keep the city at Level 3 However civic officials said if the test positivity rate TPR dips below 2 per cent in the next week then they would think of implementing Level 2 relaxations As of now there wonrsquot be any further relaxations for shop and office timings and local travelWorkers at a shop in Dadar wait for customers File picTwo weeks back when the state government came out with a threestep formula for the unlock process based on TPR and availability of oxygen beds Mumbai was in Level 3 as its TPR was above 5 per cent Though the cityrsquos TPR was 420 per cent in the last week the civic body did not implement the Level 2 relaxationsAs per the latest circular issued by the state government Mumbairsquos last weekrsquos TPR is 379 per cent and the oxygen bed occupancy is 235 per cent Technically the city is eligible for Level 1 relaxations but the BMC has decided to keep it at Level 3 ldquoThough the cityrsquos TPR is on the decline we will try to reduce it further and then decide on opening up If the TPR continues to dip in the next week then some relaxations may be implemented As of now there is no change in curbsrdquo said Suresh Kakani additional commissioner of the BMCAnother official added ldquoThe number of cases is still between 600 and 700 If it comes down to below 500 and TPR reduces to about 15 per cent then we can say the city is under control If the TPR dips below 2 per cent then the city may open up as per Level 2rdquoSpeaking to midday Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said ldquoLevel 3 will continue for the next weekrdquoldquoWe understand that the corporation is being extra cautious because of the population density and congestion However traders and hoteliers are not responsible for crowding on streets It is due to illegal hawkers and the BMCpolice have not been able to control them The traders are having a hard time surviving in the city in view of the high rents taxes salaries and other overheadsrdquo said Viren Shah president of the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare AssociationRelaxations criteriagtgt Level 1 ndash TPR below 5 per cent oxygen bed occupancy below 25 per centgtgt Level 2 ndash TPR below 5 per cent oxygen bed occupancy between 25 and 40 per centgtgt Level 3 ndash TPR between 5 and 10 per cent oxygen bed occupancy more than 40 per centCurbs at various levelsgtgt Level 1 ndash Regular work can start control over superspreaders like travel by local trains marriage functions etcgtgt Level 2 ndash Minimise attendance in closed spaces and public places Minimise group movementsgtgt Level 3 ndash Minimise movement post 5 pm on weekdays and on weekends All nonessential activities should be allowed till 4 pm37937Mumbairsquos last weekrsquos test positivity rate