Mumbai eases curbs as COVID-19 cases go down, restaurants, theatres can operate at 50% capacity; night curfew lifted

Following the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal issued a circular on Tuesday, lifting the restrictions on the movement of the people from 11pm to 5am in the city. Further, public places like chowpatties, parks, playgrounds and tourist destinations can also remain open.

The night restrictions were put in place last December, when the city was in the grip of the third wave of Covid and daily cases had begun crossing the 20,000-mark. On Monday, there were less than 1,000 new cases reported in the city and taking this into account, the BMC decided to relax the restrictions.

According to the circular, beaches, gardens, parks, local tourist spots and weekly bazaars will remain open as per their normal timings. Amusement or theme parks, swimming pools, water parks, restaurants, theatres and natyagrihas will be allowed to open at 50 per cent of their capacity.

Local, cultural and folk entertainment programmes too will be allowed at 50 per cent of the hall or pandal capacity. Marriages may have guests up to 25 per cent of the capacity of the open ground and banquet halls or a maximum of 200 guests, whichever is lower.

The civic chief has also clarified that citizens should adhere to the Covid-appropriate behaviour in public places and warned of strict action against violators.