Unlock 5.0: Bars, eatery outlets in Maharashtra to open from first week on October

In what comes as a relief for 4 lakh restaurants, bars and eatery outlets in the state, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday allowed them to re-start operations from the first week of October. All these places have been shut for more than six months now, affecting the earnings of most owners. The decision came in after a meeting between industry organizations and the CM, according to a government statement. 

Hotels, bars and restaurants which have been hit hard due to the covid-19 lockdown, have been surviving on home deliveries. About 60 lakh direct employees and 1.8 crore indirect employees (in supply of agro, diary and other commodities) stand to gain from this move. 

The fifth phase of unlock will come into effect from October 1 and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to announce a new set of guidelines soon. The biggest announcement can come in the form of re-opening of cinema halls that have been shut for over six months now. The new guidelines are also likely to factor in the upcoming festive season, where physical activities are likely to increase.   

In the last set of guidelines, the MHA had allowed malls, salons, restaurants and gyms to operate. However, no announcement was made in regards to restrictions on cinema halls, swimming pools and entertainment parks.   

Notably, open-air theatres were allowed to resume operations from September 21. Also, West Bengal became the first state to announce that cinema halls will be allowed to operate in the state from October 1 but with a limited number of participants.   

It may be recalled that in the Unlock 4.0 phase, the MHA had allowed metro trains to resume services from 7 September in a graded manner. Political, social and religious gatherings of up to 100 people were also permitted from September 21.