On March 13, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered hotels and restaurants in the state to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol in their premises and not force the state to implement drastic measures such as lockdown.
Speaking at a virtual meeting by representatives of hotel and restaurant associations, shopping center groups, CM said the “lackluster” attitude towards the prevailing norms had recently come to an end.
“Do not force us to impose a strict lockout. Consider this a final warning. Follow all the rules. Everybody has to realize that there is a difference between self-discipline and restrictions, ”said Mr. Thackeray.
The CM pointed out that since the activities started in a phased manner from October, congestion had increased in most places, and safety regulations were not being followed and resulted in a huge increase in cases.
Incidentally, 15,602 COVID-19 cases and 88 deaths were reported in Maharashtra on 13 March, reaching 22,97,793 and 52,811 by toll.
“Last week, a central team visited Mumbai and one of the members told me that no one was wearing masks or following social disturbances at the hotel they went to. Initially, hotels, restaurants were following the COVID-19 norms strictly, but now everyone is depleted, ”he said.
He said that his government was not in favor of lockdown to deal with the latest upsurge and asked people to cooperate to avoid taking such drastic decisions.
Mumbai Municipal Commissioner IS Chahal suggested that hotel and restaurant associations could organize flying squads to check if the outbreak norms were being followed.
These associations said that member establishments not complying with the rules would be removed, while representatives of the shopping center said they could deploy “COVID marshals” to check on people at the mall, while entry to the food courts would be restricted .
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