Maharashtra:Covid curbs eases, Malls, Gyms can open

The Maharashtra government has relaxed the restrictions put in place to stem the spike in Covid cases, allowing malls, gymnasiums and salons to open up. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, too, eased several curbs in the city. The relaxations will not apply to 11 districts where the caseload continues to be high. These districts are Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Beed, Raigad and Palghar. In Mumbai, all shops can now stay open till 10 pm on all days. Hotels and restaurants have been allowed to operate till 4 pm. All indoor and outdoor sports facilities, except swimming pools, have been given the go-ahead to open.

As per order, which was issued on Monday evening, said,in the other districts that will see relaxations, shops and shopping malls can stay open till 8 pm on weekdays and 3 pm on Saturdays. On Sundays, all shops except those trading in essential items shall stay shut. Restaurants can provide dine-in services at 50 per cent capacity till 4 pm on weekdays. Take away services shall continue as before.

Cinema halls, multiplexes and drama theatres will continue to remain closed till further orders. So will places of worship. Restrictions imposed on birthday celebrations, and political social and cultural events shall continue, the order said. Outdoor activities are prohibited between 9 pm and 5 am.