Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mumbai Dabbawala Association had urged the Maharashtra government to allow the Dabbawalas to commute by the suburban railway system so that they could continue to deliver the lunch boxes on time.
However, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Waddediwar has announced that local travel will not be considered for the general public until the coronavirus positivity rate reaches Level 1 in Mumbai. Currently, Mumbai is in Level 3.
Moreover, due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown in Maharashtra, several employers have shifted to a “work from home” model which has affected the livelihoods of Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas who deliver packed food to office-goers across the city.
On the other hand, several hotels in Mumbai such as Social and Smoke House Deli has partnered with Mumbai’s Dabbawalas to service direct delivery of orders received via Impresario’s ordering platforms. Even though the restaurants are dealing with a slum in their businesses amidst the surge in coronavirus cases and the subsequent lockdown, they are allowed to remain only for home delivery.
Furthermore, the Dabbawala community had earlier expressed disappointment over the state government not announcing any relief package for them, as it has done for other sections of the society. Hence, the association said that it is again urging the government for financial help to the dabbawalas. According to sources, out of 5,000 dabbawalas, only 400-500 were working. With new lockdown restrictions, only 200-250 are now left.
ALSO READ: Apart From Delivering Lunches, Mumbai’s Dabbawalas Will Soon Cook the Meals Too
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