Shazneen Mistry
The Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray in discussion with the Maharashtra Covid task force has allowed the malls to re-open as well as extended the timings for eateries like restaurants, cafes and others, beyond the current deadline of 4 p.m.
The task force is preparing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the state to allow the reopening, however, the final call will be taken by the chief minister himself. Ministers and senior officials said the chief minister would decide on further relaxation of curbs after Independence Day.
The opening of all activities in one go will not be a smart move and therefore the chief minister has decided to take a cautious decision regarding the full function of the state like it used to be before Covid. Before this decision, Uddhav Thackeray had also announced that those who have taken two doses of vaccines will be able to travel in suburban local trains from August 15.
“The SOP to reopen malls and allow restaurants and eateries to operate till 10 pm is being prepared. The task force opined that mall employees, workers in the shops have to be double vaccinated. A mechanism on who will be allowed inside malls is being worked out. The chief minister will take a call once the SOP is submitted,” said an anonymous official, who wants to remain unnamed.
Aslam Shaikh, State minister and guardian minister of Mumbai city said that “representatives from restaurants industry want timings increased till 10 pm, but the government is still deliberating on their demands. The government must be given time to reopen everything and things will be streamlined in a week. Restaurants will be allowed more time to operate at an appropriate time”.
The task force though has cautioned the state on reopening religious places, allowing public functions and weddings, and pushing back the reopening of secondary schools in urban areas till Diwali at least. The decisions regarding these restrictions will be taken by the CM Uddhav Thackeray and the State Health Minister, Rajesh Tope. Tope said,
Sherry Bhatia, President of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), in a statement, said, “We would like to thank the State Task Force headed by Dr. Sanjay Oak for recommending the easing of restrictions on restaurants. In our last week’s meeting with the Chief Minister had assured the industry that he would personally discuss the subject with the State COVID Task Force and arrive at a decision soon. This is a big relief for hotels and restaurants across Mumbai”.
In conclusion, it can be seen that Maharashtra’s chief minister is slowly and steadily starting all the activities in the state, and is trying to make peoples life as lively as it was post Covid. Though things will be different like we still need to keep wearing masks and maintain social at least people will now be allowed to go out and stay out till late and enjoy time with their family and friends.
