With daily cases declining and third wave on the wane, coronavirus-related restrictions are likely to be eased further in Maharashtra in March, but mask mandate and social distancing norms will continue to remain in place, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.

Talking to reporters in adjoining Jalna district, he cited a letter from the Union government asking states to review, amend or do away with additional Covid-19 restrictions after considering the trend of new cases and positivity rate in their regions. Tope said the state task force on Covid-19 also favours the easing of curbs, but a final decision on the issue will be taken by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.