According to the latest reports, AHAR (Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association), along with HRAWI, NRAI along with other district-level hotel associations has formed a United Hospitality Forum of Maharashtra (UHFM) against the state government’s recent lockdown rules.
However, UHFM has organized silent protests at various restaurants across cities in Maharashtra, which started today, April 8, at 12.30 pm.
This comes days after the state government announced a month-long shutdown of shops and restaurants under the mission “break the chain” amid an alarming spike in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra.
The restaurants’ association stated that the curbs on business activities of the hospitality industry has pushed the hotel and restaurant industry into utter chaos and is driving it towards destruction. To counter this, an alliance has been formed to protest against the oppressive steps taken by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.
The hotel associations hail from Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Bhayander, Vasai, Palghar, Kalyan, Ambernath, Badlapur, Bhiwandi, Dombivali, Ratnagiri, Pune, Pimpri, Amravati and Aurangabad.
Commenting on this, Shivanand Shetty, President, AHAR said, “The recent restrictions by the State Government is nothing but a death blow to the industry which has been already battered by last year’s lockdown. Knowing the repercussions witnessed thereafter, we didn’t expect the State Government to come out with such measures, as we have been left to fend to fend for ourselves with no relief from the Government for the previous lockdown. There are lakhs of families who are dependent on this industry, so we have come together to form this forum to voice our protest and press for measures that are conducive for us to do business.”
Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now eased a few restrictions and allowed 24x7 delivery services for restaurants in Mumbai. BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, stated that essential supplies and food items can now be delivered round the clock using the online delivery models.
However, in-person take away options from the restaurants will remain closed over the weekends during the lockdown. Customers can choose to order online for delivery. Street food vendors can also offer take away on the weekends. This decision has been taken to avoid crowding at specific areas in the city.
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