Due to lockdown-like restrictions imposed during the second wave of coronavirus, the hotels and restaurants sector has been adversely affected.
After being shut for months, the restaurants were allowed to reopen in Mumbai, but only for a few hours per day. Currently, the restaurants in Mumbai are allowed to open for dine-in only till 4 pm on weekdays. The restaurants have to remain shut on weekends for dine-in.
Therefore, the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) had expressed its displeasure over a government decision to allow them to operate with a level 3 deadline. In addition, the association has also requested the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to reconsider their decision.
Also Read: Mumbai To Follow Level 3 Unlock Plan. Here's What's Allowed From June 7
As per restaurant association, the weekends and the night slots are the most crucial period for their business and keeping the restaurants shut during that period is causing further massive losses to the industry. Hence, the association has requested that the timing of the restaurants should be extended till 11 pm in Mumbai. So, the hotel and restaurant owners are seeking relaxations in business timings and a relief package for the industry.
With these demands, the apex body of the industry met NCP Chief, Sharad Pawar to discuss the issues being faced by the city restaurants and bars because of the pandemic induced lockdown and related restrictions.
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Post the meeting, Shivanand Shetty, President, AHAR said, “Sharad Pawar has been always supportive of our causes and in this meeting, he patiently heard the plight of the industry put across by the association. He later spoke with the Chief Minister on this and assured that there will be announcement soon which would be positive for the already pandemic battered industry. So, we eagerly look forward to this announcement as not only restaurants owners but even the staff and allied sectors have been badly hit by the lockdown.”
Meanwhile, the reports suggest that after his talks with Pawar, the chief minister has convened a high-level meeting of the task force, municipal commissioner, police commissioner and other stakeholders on Tuesday, June 22, to decide on the demand for extending the present 4 pm deadline for restaurants, bars and retailers. Based on the outcome of the meeting a suitable decision is likely to be taken, sources said.
Despite being eligible for level 1, Mumbai continues to be under level 3 restrictions which does not allow malls, multiplexes to open, also dine-in at restaurants is not allowed post 4 pm and are shut on the weekends.
Also Read: Mumbai To Follow Level 3 Unlock Plan. Here's What's Allowed From June 7
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