Maharashtra: Malls to open at 50% intake for fully vaxxed, eateries till 10pm

MUMBAI: After opening up suburban trains in Mumbai for vaccinated commuters, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday carried out a second round of unlocking, easing more curbs related to hospitality, shopping and wellness, starting August 15.

With cases plateauing for over two months, there was pressure on the MVA government to relax curbs. Based on the Covid task force’s recommendations, CM Uddhav Thackeray had resisted extending restaurant timings until now. But once access to local trains was allowed, pressure to open up more sectors intensified.

Malls are now allowed to open till 10pm all days of the week, but only fully immunised visitors (14 days after the 2nd dose) will be given entry. Mall staff need to be vaccinated. Dining-in at restaurants and bars is allowed till 10pm through the week but at 50% occupancy. Their staff must be vaccinated and wear masks.
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In fresh relaxations of Covid restrictions in the state, shops, salons, gyms, spas have also been allowed to remain open till 10pm. However, multiplexes and places of worship will stay closed. Health minister Rajesh Tope said the state has laid emphasis on giving more relaxations to those who are fully vaccinated as it encourages vaccination.
As per new guidelines issued by the state government while extending timings, restaurant patrons have to wear a mask while waiting for a table or till food arrives. Restaurants have also been asked to keep a few windows or doors open for better ventilation. Sanitisation of tables and washrooms must be carried out and disposal of used tissues and masks done in a systematic and hygienic manner.
Sherry Bhatia, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, said, “Restaurants will now be able to get some business, which was just impossible while operating until 4pm. The industry, including owners and people employed in it, has suffered over 16 months of income deprivation.”
Restaurant owners had met and lobbied with government officials and ministers to seek concessions from Covid-19 restrictions. In some districts, shop owners had threatened to flout the lockdown. In fact, in Pune and Nagpur, relaxations were given earlier this week due to pressure from the trading community. Officials said that even while allowing malls to re-open, government was considering keeping them closed during the weekends. But the task force suggested that since the rule permits only those fully vaccinated to enter, there was no need for any other restriction .
Shops can now remain open till 10pm, even on weekends. Ditto, salons, gyms, yoga centres, spas. A maximum of 200 guests are now allowed in open air banquet halls or 50% of the capacity, whichever is less; for enclosed AC halls, maximum is 100 guests or 50% of the capacity.
To promote staggered office timings, the state has also allowed private offices and industries to stay open 24x7. “In this system, not more than 25% employees can be called in on one shift," said public health minister Rajesh Tope. Offices with 100% fully vaccinated staff can function at full capacity, he added. However, government has not decided to open up auditoriums, theatres and multiplexes. Same goes for places of worship.
Meanwhile, a day after the state school education department issued a circular declaring that schools in urban and rural areas can reopen for offline education from August 17, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday decided to consult the state Covid Task Force on the decision.
Tope said the task force had already said that they were not in favour of reopening schools given the that the third wave may affect the younger population. Officials say that CM too is not comfortable about reopening schools and may stay the decision. (Inputs from Chittaranjan Tembhekar and Sujit Mahamulkar)