Coronavirus lockdown: Non-essential shops and establishments in Mumbai to remain shut

Richa Pinto | TNN | May 5, 2020, 22:51 IST

Policemen try to control a crowd gathered outside a liquor story in Mumbai

MUMBAI: BMC commissioner Praveen Pardeshi on Tuesday issued orders stating that non-essential shops and establishments, including liquor shops, in Mumbai will continue to remain shut.
"It has been observed that the number of positive cases in the city of Mumbai has been rising and the downward trend is yet to set in and gathering of crowds in large numbers without following social distancing norms will be detrimental to the control of spread of the virus and the advantages of the lockdown will be lost due to gathering of people in large numbers....I am convinced that the relaxation notifications mentioned above is going to the deteriorate the conditions of Mumbai city and hence relaxation will have to be withdrawn from Mumbai city," the order read.
Assistant municipal commissioners of civic wards have also been informed that no such permission for opening of the five shops which are non-essential be given and the senior police inspectors within each ward jurisdiction will ensure compliance of these orders in toto. Only grocery stores and the medical store/chemist shops will be allowed to remain open.
Pardeshi's order also stated that there were multiple reports and news on social media received by the police and ward officials that due to the relaxations, there has been a huge crowd gathering near these shops and where it has been impossible to maintain social distancing and there were few instances of law and order situation arising out of such gatherings at one place. "...Mumbai city has been categorised in red zone by the government of India and restrictions are in view of that," read the order.