The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has asked the Maharashtra Government to make some changes to the recently published SOPs pertaining to restaurants and malls. While the authorities allowed malls and restaurants to remain open until 10 PM, it also mandated staff of such establishments to be vaccinated with both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
The RAI is seeking a change in this policy saying that since most people working within malls are between the ages of 20 and 45, not all of them have received both doses of the vaccine. The state’s new SOPs state that employees, as well as visitors at malls, will have to be vaccinated with the second dose of the approved vaccine at least 14 days prior.
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In a press statement issued on Aug 10, CEO of the Retailers Association of India, Kumar Rajagopalan said, “The notification on reopening malls and allowing stores and restaurants to stay open till late is a welcome move. The long pending decision was essential to help people get their jobs back and save their livelihoods. However, it is impractical to have only those staff who have taken both their doses as most of them are in the 20-45 years age bracket and could not get fully vaccinated. How can malls resume operations without its people? We hope the government rethinks the conditions and modifies the order.”
The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has welcomed the government’s move to allow establishments to run until 10 PM with up to 50 per cent capacity.
“The hospitality industry thanks Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Covid-19 task force for easing the restrictions. Restaurants will now be able to make some business which was impossible while operating until 4pm. The industry, including owners and people employed in it, has suffered for over sixteen months of income deprivation,” President of HRAWI, Sherry Bhatia said.
“We were hoping that since restaurants continue to operate at only 50% capacity, the government could have allowed us to remain open till midnight. However, the CM has kept his promise and we welcome this move and expect more relaxations soon. The industry assures the government that it will continue to follow all the SOPs and Covid safety protocols stringently,” Bhatia added.
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