Curbs may be relaxed for Mumbai restaurants

Members of AHAR had met with Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh and requested that the timings of hotels and restaurants be extended

While schools and colleges are set to reopen for physical classes from February 1, authorities are yet to decide on extending the timings for city's hotels and restaurants. Sources, however, said that the BMC will make an announcement by Monday, after discussing the issue with the Covid task force.

Members of the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) had recently met with Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh and requested that the timings of hotels and restaurants be extended. At present, they are only allowed to be open till 10 pm. Sukesh Shetty, secretary, AHAR said, "Covid cases have been decreasing, but there's no relief for us in sight yet. Our main business only starts post 9 pm. We've been losing out on business due to the current restrictions, and have requested that we be allowed to keep the restaurants open till at least 1.30 am."

When contacted, Shaikh said, "We are looking into the issue, and will take a decision soon." Speaking with mid-day, BMC additional commissioner Suresh Kakani confirmed the development. "The task force committee will take a decision on the issue at a meeting on Monday."