Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday assured the four lakh restaurants and bars in the state that they would be allowed to resume operations from the first week of October.
The decision is in line with the Centre’s Unlock 5.0 strategy, and came after a meeting between industry associations and the CM. The CM has also agreed to consider a waiver of excise licence fees for the last six months. Sources said the state plans to allow them to function at 50% capacity initially. The government on Monday also circulated the draft of a Standard Operating Procedure for restaurants to resume functioning. Plans are to insist on a one metre distance between tables, use contactless menus, insist on masks and gloves for all staff, avoid serving raw or buffets and stick to bottled water.
