It has been over three months, restaurants, cafes, spas are closed amid the lockdown imposed in the nation due to the novel coronavirus. Maharashtra which is badly hit the state in the country and has extended the lockdown till July 31.

With Unlock 2.0, the state government has provided some relaxations on many restrictions in order to get back everything to the normal life. On Thursday, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has stated that restaurants and spas may open in the state with 40-50 per cent capacity.

There is no disagreeing that all have been waiting to break out of their homes and start enjoying their lives by going out for the dining.

Ganesh Shetty, President of Pune Hoteliers Association said, “We would like to welcome this decision if it happens at the earliest because the restaurants and hotels are closed for three months due to the lockdown. Many workers have already lost their jobs and businesses have suffered a lot.”

“We assure that we will follow all the norms of social distancing and personal hygiene once the restaurants are allowed to open with the 40-50 per cent of capacity, he added.”

NO COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION

Health Minister Rajesh Tope, also said that there is no community transmission in the state. Stressing that most of the positive cases in the state are of people who are either under institutional quarantine or home quarantine, Tope said that plasma therapy is an effective treatment against the COVID-19.

He further added that nine out of 10 patients are getting better through plasma treatment. He also said that 93,000 patients have recovered till now.

CCTV MUST IN ALL CORONAVIRUS WARDS

Amid unending complaints of overcharging by hospitals, the Maharashtra government has made CCTV mandatory in all Covid-19 wards, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said here on Thursday. "The government has specified the cost of treatment in all such cases, and hospitals must adhere to it or face stringent action. If patients have grievances, they can come forward and complain to us. We shall be announcing a special helpline number for this also," Tope told mediapersons.

Besides, family members or relatives outside the hospital shall be able to communicate with the patients inside the wards, he said. Referring to widespread fleecing of patients by ambulances, the minister said that the rates for this medical service will be declared by the municipal commissioners and district collectors.

The minister's statements are considered significant as patients' have complained of exorbitant billing by many private hospitals, ambulance operators, emanate daily on social media from Mumbai and other parts of the state.

(With inputs from IANS)