The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), the apex body of the industry has welcomed Maharashtra government’s decision to restore the business timings of restaurants and bars to pre-COVID days with immediate effect.
This statement also comes soon after the Brihnamumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced issued guidelines, relaxing certain COVID-19 curbs in the city, which include restaurants can open with 50 per cent of their capacity according to their normal timing before the commencement of pandemic.
Commenting on this, Shivanand Shetty, President, AHAR said, “The Government has kept its promise to restore the timings when we last made a representation and we really appreciate the decision. At the same time, I would like to add that the industry has taken a huge blow because of the pandemic-induced lockdowns and we would require Government’s support to get back on track. This will not only assist re-opening of businesses which are shut but will also attract fresh investments thereby generating employment opportunities.”
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The restaurants’ association said that it has been making industry representations to the Government on this particular thing along with seeking 50 per cent waiver in FL-III license fees to support the beleaguered industry, so this comes as a big relief to the industry which has been reeling under duress for the past two years due to frequent lockdowns and restrictive business hours.
The said order comes into force from Tuesday, February 1 and will remain in action till February 28, 2022. Previously, the Maharashtra government eased restrictions in districts that have administered 90 per cent of single-dose and 70 per cent of the double dose of vaccination for 18 years or above.
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