Mumbai, one of the worst hit cities by the pandemic, reported 7,381 new COVID- 19 cases and 57 fresh fatalities on Monday. With the new cases and fatalities, the COVID-19 infection count jumped to 5,86,692, while the death toll rose to 12,404, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC). In the view of rising infections, Maharashtra was one of the first states to announce restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.
Besides restrictions, with an aim to prevent the movement of non-essential vehicles, Mumbai Police has come up with a ‘colorful’ idea. The police is issuing red, green and yellow stickers to essential vehicles at toll booths, checkpoints, local police stations from April 18. The color code scheme will remain in effect till 7 am on May 1, 2021.
Here’s all you need to know:
Red stickers: Vehicles used by doctors or medical staff, ambulances, hospitals, medical services, clinics, diagnostic centers, vaccination centers, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, medical insurance offices, and other medical, health services and transport and supply chain – will be given red stickers.
Green stickers: Vehicles transporting eatables/food items such as groceries, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, bakery products, confectioneries, and other food items – will be designated a green sticker.
Yellow stickers: Vehicles used by central and state government employees, electric and gas supply services, municipal officials, press/media, banks, telecom services among other offices of companies providing essential services – will be given a yellow sticker.
Know Your Stickers!
From today, Red, Green and Yellow stickers are to be put on cars of Essential Service Providers to ensure smoother flow of traffic on roads.
Refer the image to know what category you belong to.#EssentialStickers pic.twitter.com/a4i3uvRMZn
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) April 18, 2021
Vehicles without color these stickers would not be allowed movement amid restrictions. These color-coded stickers are self-declarations. You can place the sticker yourself or can request the police at any checkpoint to place it for you.
The second wave of Covid-19 is far bigger than the last year. Maharashtra government has announced the state-wide curfew from 15 April to 1 May, but if the cases keep rising, another lockdown could get extended.