Mumbai restaurants, bars allowed to open till 1.30 am with 50% capacity

'Big relief', says industry association about municipality order that doesn't apply for celebrations tonight

Mumbai Police on Friday issued an order prohibiting people from public places between 5 pm and 5 am daily till January 15 in view of the rising Covid cases even as Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) allowed restaurants and bars to operate with 50 per cent capacity till 1.30 am. 

DCP (operations) S Chaitanya issued the order under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which came into force from 1 pm on Friday and will be effective till January 15, unless withdrawn earlier.

“In light of the increase in cases and emergence of the new Omicron variant, and with a view to prevent danger to human life, health and safety and to curb transmission of the virus, people are prohibited from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, promenades, gardens, parks or similar public places from 5 pm to 5 am next day," the order said.

In case of marriages, in enclosed or open spaces, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50, the order said. In case of last rites, only 20 people will be allowed.

Meanwhile, BMC Commissioner I S Chahal said restaurants and bars in Mumbai could now operate with 50 per cent capacity till 1.30 am.  The state had on November 27 allowed economic, social, cultural and entertainment activities as per normal pre-Covid timings subject to some conditions. However, the same was not implemented till now and police were asking restaurants to shut by midnight.

Hotel and restaurant associations asked the BMC to issue a clarification in this regard.

“Hotels/restaurants, permit rooms, beer bars, discotheques and all other such establishments where liquor in any kind is served, wine and all kinds of liquor shops will be allowed to operate as per normal timings decided by the competent authority before the Covid-19 pandemic subject to 50 per cent capacity,” Chahal said in his order. The timing extension is not limited to New Year's eve. Pranav Rungta, Mumbai chapter head of the National Restaurant Association of India, welcomed the decision. “It is a big relief for us. We have been petitioning that extended operating hours will reduce crowding,” he said.

Maharashtra reported 8,067 new Covid cases, 50 per cent more than the day before, and eight deaths on Friday. The state, which has witnessed a dramatic rise in cases in the last ten days, recorded four new Omicron variant infections.  (With PTI inputs)