Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday announced that shops in Pune city will remain open from Monday till 8 pm and restaurants can operate with 50 per cent capacity till 10 pm.
Recently, the Maharashtra government allowed shops to function till 8 pm in 25 districts except Pune and ten others, where restrictions on Level-3 continue in view of the COVID situation.
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Restaurant owners, traders and mall workers unions are demanding extension of hours of their establishments.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said malls in Pune and neighboring Pimpri Chinchwad townships are also allowed to function till 8 pm, but only those citizens who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed entry. have been found.
“Keeping in mind the continued positivity rate in Pune at 3.3 per cent and Pimpri Chinchwad at 3.5 per cent, we are easing certain norms for business. From Monday, all shops are allowed to open till 8 pm. However, Shop owners and employees should wear masks and get themselves fully vaccinated. Restaurants are also allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity till 10 pm. Due to high positivity rate, Pune rural area is facing the current level-3 restrictions. Will remain under,” Pawar told reporters during a review meeting on the COVID situation.
Pawar, who is also the guardian minister for Pune district, said mall employees should get themselves fully vaccinated and get tested once every fortnight.
The Deputy CM appealed to the traders to close all commercial establishments and markets in the limits of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic areas once a week on a day of their choice.
Public gardens can remain open in the morning and evening as they used to be before the pandemic.
Sports activities are also permitted in Pune and Pimpri chinchwad except swimming. Temples will remain closed, Pawar pointed out, adding that people need to strictly follow the COVID-19 norms.
According to the district administration, a total of 65, 25, 580 citizens have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Pune so far.
(with agency input)
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