A lockdown with a string of restrictions will be inflicted in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra from July 10 to prevent the rising cases of coronavirus, officials said on Monday.

This phase of the lockdown will be in action for nine days and will include certain industries, and only vital services will be authorized to operate during this period, following said.

The conclusion was taken keeping in mind the demands of the citizens and followng a meeting with several stakeholders held in the backdrop of growing COVID-19 cases in the central Maharashtra district, collector Uday Choudhari informed reporters.

He said, "A lockdown will be enforced in Aurangabad between July 10 and 18. It will be a strict lockdown."

Choudhari said, "A demand was raised by the common public for lockdown but the decision was taken unanimously after a meeting with various stakeholders like industries, traders and others along with administration officials.

"Industries shall remain closed in this period. But the administration will decide a strategy to ensure continuous operation of the pharmaceutical industry and some other units during the lockdown period."

On being asked about the lockdown, municipal commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey said, "Only milk outlets will be allowed to remain open during this period...rest every establishment will be shut.

"Petrol pumps will operate for limited hours to provide fuel to government and emergency services vehicles."

The figure of COVID-19 cases in Aurangabad district has risen to 6,880, while the death tally stood at 310, an official said.

Out of the total cases, 3,374 patients have healed, while 3,196 are presently under treatment, he added.

In Maharashtra, the state government is gradually lifting restrictions under the 5th phase of Mission Begin Again. Fresh orders have been issued to allow hotels, lodges and guest houses outside containment zones to operate from tomorrow with 33 percent of their capacity.

Further easing coronavirus-induced lockdown, the Maharashtra government has decided to allow hotels and other entities to operate from tomorrow. However, the hotels in shopping malls will not be allowed to reopen. The hoteliers have been asked to ensure proper crowd management in the hotels including elevators and parking lots, mandatory thermal screening at entrance and reception tables, which should have protective glasses. The government has instructed the hoteliers to make available for freehand sanitizers, preferable pedal-operated dispensers, at the reception, guest rooms and public spaces for customers. The hotels must adopt contact-less processes like QR code, online forms, digital payments like e-wallet, among others, for both check-in and check-out.

On the other hand, Tata Sons have donated 20 Ambulances, 100 ventilators and financial assistance of Rs. 10 Crore for setting up of Immunology and Virus Infection Research Centre to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in order to strengthen its fight against Covid-19. BMC has extended its gratitude to Tata Sons and all other sponsors.