Malls to reopen in Maharashtra, shop timings extended on weekdays

Relaxations in 25 districts, including Mumbai; Shops to remain open till 8 p.m., cinemas remain shut, dine-ins till 4 p.m.

Malls will reopen and shops will be allowed to function till 8 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on Saturday in 25 districts of Maharashtra, as a part of easing of Covid-19 restrictions. On Sunday, only stores selling essential goods will be allowed to function.

Shops can remain open till 10 p.m. in Mumbai on all days as per new Covid-19 guidelines issued by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The BMC has retained many of the existing restrictions but has allowed permission for the opening of sports facilities (excluding swimming pools) and allowed for film shoots.

Government and private offices can also function at full capacity as per the new guidelines. Cinema halls, however, will remain shut and restaurants can serve dine-in guests till 4 p.m. only.

On Monday, the Maharashtra government announced relaxations where the case positivity rate and weekly growth of Covid-19 cases remain lower than the state's average. The BMC issued separate orders for Mumbai. Over 4,860 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the state today.

Existing restrictions will continue in eleven districts including Pune, Raigad, and Palghar.

"Considering the higher number of positive cases, higher emergence of fresh cases in the districts of Sindhudurg, Satara and Ahmednagar, the respective disaster management authorities to impose effective restrictions in the said districts," chief secretary S J Kunte said in his order.

All public gardens and playgrounds can remain open for exercise, jogging and cycling as per the order.