Covid-related curbs in Mumbai to be relaxed soon, says Mayor

Image Source : PTI
Tourists visit the Gateway of India after the state government relaxed the COVID-19 restrictions, in Mumbai, Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2022.

Highlights

Night curfew in Mumbai was lifted last week. Restaurants were allowed to operate with 50% capacity
Mayor's remark about unlocking Mumbai comes in the backdrop of a slide in daily Covid counts

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar has hinted that the Covid-related curbs in the metropolis would be relaxed by the month-end. Pednekar said that there has been a downfall in the daily Covid counts and that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city's civic body, has decided to ease curbs.

"There is good news for Mumbaikars. Mumbai will be unlocked by the end of this month. We have made up our minds," Pednekar said, according to news agency ANI. She also urged people to follow the rules regarding Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

Earlier on Monday, Mumbai recorded 356 fresh Covid 19 cases -- the lowest daily rise after December 21, 2021- and five fatalities, as per a BMC bulletin. The tally of infections now stands at 10,50,194 and death toll at 16,654. Around 88 per cent or 313 cases out of the 356 are asymptomatic, it said, adding that the positivity rate has come down to 1.19 per cent.

Notably, the Maharashtra government had last week lifted the night curfew and allowed restaurants and theatres to operate as per their usual timings before the advent of the pandemic, but with 50% capacity. The government also allowed beaches, gardens, parks to operate as per normal timing before the advent of the pandemic.

As per the BMC's latest guidelines, amusement or theme parks, swimming pools, restaurants, theaters, natyagriha (drama theatres) and water parks can operate with 50 per cent capacity. Cultural and folk entertainment programs can also be held with 50 per cent capacity of the venue. However, the BMC in its February 2 guidelines said that marriages and competitive sports including horse racing will be allowed with 25 per cent occupancy of the venue.