Maharashtra malls and retailers face reduced capacity, night curfew

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 10, 2022

As Covid-19 cases rise swiftly in Maharashtra, the state government has enforced new retail restrictions. Malls will now operate at 50% capacity and many establishments now require proof of vaccination. 

“We don’t want to shut down livelihoods but to curtail crowds,” Maharashtra’s chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said in a statement, TNN reported. “We do not want to impose a lockdown and close down everything. But no restriction will be effective unless we all adhere to Covid protocols.”
 
Shoppers entering malls and private offices already had to show proof of vaccination in Maharashtra but this order has now been extended to e-commerce and home delivery and anyone working in that sector must now be vaccinated with the aim of increasing both safety and consumer confidence. However, the regulations around vaccinations will be tailored to each district as per vaccination coverage.  

Beauty salons in the state are also facing challenges due to the 50% capacity, vaccination, and opening hours restrictions. Opening hour restrictions, which necessitate that establishments close at 10 pm, mainly affect restaurants which tend to stay open far later than retail outlets. Malls with food courts face the same regulations.
 
The state registered a dip in the number of daily Covid-19 cases for the second day in a row on January 10, the Indian Express reported. Retailers are hoping this trend continues to avoid further restrictive measures.