Maharashtra: Metro gets a green signal, shops to remain open till 9 pm

The Maharashtra government’s ‘Mission Begin Again’ has entered the next stage with metro rail services restarting from October 15 (tomorrow) in a graded manner.

Besides, government and private libraries too will be allowed to open from Thursday (tomorrow) while following Covid-19 protocols to the hilt.

The Urban Development Department will soon issue Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for operating metros, which was halted on March 25 following a nation-wide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The government has also allowed marriage and other family functions with number of guests not exceeding 50 and funerals/last rites with number of guests capped at 20.

Also read: Kerala’s daily COVID count surpasses Maharashtra, Karnataka

The state government has also granted permission to hold business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions outside containment zones. Local weekly bazars, including that of animals, will also be allowed to reopen outside containment zones.

Markets and shops will be allowed to remain open for two additional hours till 9 pm from October 15 with an aim to reduce crowding at public places.

Earlier, inter-district train travel was given a go-ahead but the operations of Mumbai’s suburban train system, which is the lifeline of the city, still remains restricted. In late August, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation was allowed to operate inter-district buses.

Since October 5, the Maharashtra government has permitted dine-in services to restart at restaurants, bars, and food courts, with maximum 50 per cent occupancy.

Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres and multiplexes, auditoriums, and assembly halls will continue to remain closed. Schools, colleges and educational coaching institutions will continue to remain shut till October 31.