Time to get back to normal: Mumbai Mayor

People at Juhu beach on February 7. There are no restrictions on entry to beaches now. Pic/Shadab Khan

As the third pandemic wave has started receding, Mayor Kishori Pednekar has assured citizens of relaxations in the restrictions by this month-end. Pednekar said that the city has almost completed 100 per cent vaccination with both doses for those above 18 years and it is time to get back to normal.

The municipal commissioner issued the latest order on February 1 allowing many relaxations. As per the order, restaurants and gardens are now allowed to remain open as per timings before the pandemic. There are no restrictions on movement during night hours and tourist spots can also remain open as per normal timings.

There is still a cap of 50 per cent capacity on restaurants, theatres, swimming pools, water parks, amusement and theme parks. Representation pic

But there is still a cap of 50 per cent capacity on restaurants, theatres, swimming pools, water parks, amusement and theme parks. Even bhajan and other local, cultural, folk entertainment programmes are allowed with 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall. Marriage ceremonies can have guests upto 25 per cent of the capacity of open grounds and banquet halls, or 200, whichever is lower. Maximum 25 per cent of the audience is permitted in competitive sports and other such activities. Only citizens who have taken both doses are allowed to travel by trains.

"We are planning to unlock Mumbai further. But people should take all precautions. In the next one week Mumbai is likely to achieve 100% vaccination with both doses to everyone eligible. But even after relaxations, people need to be careful and follow Covid appropriate behaviour like use of masks and hand sanitisers, and social distancing," said Pednekar on Tuesday while speaking to the media.

No of sealed buildings - 1

Pednekar added that the number of sealed buildings in the city has gone down to one, so this also indicates that the situation has improved. The BMC administration is reviewing the situation and complete relaxations can be possible by February end, said Pednekar.

However, she expressed concern over low vaccination among children (15-17 years) and said that they will increase the vaccination in the age group. Till February 7, as per the BMC data, 3 lakh children have taken the first dose. There are 9 lakh children eligible for the vaccine in Mumbai.