Amid fear of the possible third wave and a rise in the cases of Delta variant of coronavirus, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra government imposed Level 3 restrictions.
However, as the number of coronavirus patients in Mumbai is declining, the Federation of Retail Traders' Welfare Associations (FRTWA) had demanded that the restrictions be relaxed.
Therefore, with no ease in the COVID-19 relaxations this week, the city traders threatened to vote out the Shiv Sena in the municipal elections, which will be held early next year.
Also Read: Federation of Retail Traders demand the resumption of Mumbai local train services
Moreover, traders at Dadar have also organised a protest today, July 12, against the current lockdown norms that allow non-essential stores to open only from Monday to Friday between 7 am and 4 pm.
The traders’ association also claims that 25 per cent of the shops are closed because of impractical business hours that do not facilitate paying huge overheads such as salaries and rent. Customers do not shop much in the morning or afternoon, affecting business, said, traders.
Apart from this, the traders pointed out that in many parts of the city, owners keep their shops open even on weekends, thereby defying the government’s orders.
Meanwhile, it has come to light that the BMC has indicated some relaxation and extension of timings from next week. In addition, the fully vaccinated may see some freedom of movement from current restrictions.
Also Read: COVID-19 restrictions in Maharashtra: "Lockdown extension is not acceptable at any cost," says FAM
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