<span style="color: #222222;">In Maharashtra, the state government has given permission for carrying out of pre-monsoon-related works and metro-line construction in Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri- Chinchwad municipal regions. <br />''<br />''All these four cities have been severely hit due to COVID-19.  In addition, the state government has relaxed norms for some other activities  including agriculture and horticulture, facilities for export/import such as pack houses, inspection and treatment facilities for seeds and horticulture produce, research establishments, inter and intra-state movement of planting materials among others. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today directed the administration to immediately implement the instructions given by the central team to reduce the death rate due to novel coronavirus and significantly increase the time period in doubling the number of patients, especially in Mumbai and Pune. <br />''<br />''The CMO stated that  central teams have expressed satisfaction over the state government's large-scale testing. At present, the doubling period of patients in the state is about 7 days and the government is striving to increase it to 10 days. 78.9 per cent of the patients who died in the state had comorbities and the deceased were in the age group of 51 to 60 years. Meanwhile, the state government has received nod from the Union Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan to do pool testing and convalscent plasma therapy.<br />''<br />'' The state government is hopeful that due to the Portable Pulse Oxymeter and X-ray tests the COVID-19 positive patients will be detected quickly and it will also reduce the mortality rate.</span><br />''  <br />