PUNE: Police in rural Pune, over the last week, took action against nearly 100 restaurants and small eateries for violating Covid-19 precautions. But citizens and activists said the number is far from adequate.
Citizens said many establishments have been running full capacity and have stayed open beyond deadline. As per orders from the district collector, restaurants must operate at half capacity and should shut by 10pm.
Rural Pune has about 5,000 restaurants and small eateries, mainly located along state and national highways that pass through the district.
“We have filed 100 FIRs so far. The drive will be intensified in coming days,” said Abhinav Deshmukh, superintendent of police.
Deshmukh added that night patrol units have warned and fined several establishments over the past many days. "We have also increased the number of checkpoints along state and national highways to restrict unnecessary movement," he said.
The top official added that his teams carried out surprise checks of many eateries along the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway last week.
“We found that owners of these establishments have reduced seating. But certain important Covid norms are still not being followed. We have now asked personnel from local police stations to check these businesses regularly,” Deshmukh said.
Pune rural has recorded over 79,000 cases since the pandemic broke out last March. Some 74,000 went on to recover while 1,670 succumbed.
Activist Balasaheb Chudhary, from Khed tehsil, said the police were not doing enough to ensure restaurants are sticking to health protocols.
“We can see crowding at many establishments, especially at those located along the Pune-Nashik highway. Many customers ignore distancing rules. The situation needs to change,” he said.