Amid a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government on Friday said that all private offices, drama theatres, auditoriums will operate at 50% capacity. The Maharashtra government issued fresh measures that are applicable till March 31 in the wake of rise in COVID-19 cases in the state. 

Under the fresh measures, people not properly wearing masks will not be allowed to enter the drama theatres and auditoriums. The order comes days after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray warned of implementing another strict lockdown if the COVID-19 safety guidelines would not be followed by people properly. 

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Maharashtra on Thursday reported 25,833 coronavirus cases, which is the highest 24-hour spike of infections in the state since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

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The biggest daily spike in COVID-19 cases in the states was last year on September 11 with 24,886 infections. Earlier this week, a central team report had said that Maharashtra is in the beginning of a second COVID-19 wave.