Restaurants, which were already following the night curfew guidelines and were shutting at 8 pm previously are expected to operate only for deliveries in the state till April 30. According to the state government, all restaurants and bars are to remain closed except for those in 'integral' parts of hotels. Deliveries will be allowed from 7 am to 8 pm from Monday to Friday. Restaurants and bars in hotels will be open only for in-house guests and outsiders won't be allowed.
Hospitality Industry insiders said the decision to close down restaurants and bars in Maharashtra and allow only takeaway and home delivery services would be a 'final nail in the coffin' for businesses. We fail to understand why the hotel and restaurant industry is targeted every time when there is no empirical evidence to prove that Covid is emanating from the above-mentioned places, or it is rampantly spreading only during the evening, said Shivanand Shetty, president, Indian Hotel Restaurant Association.
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There will be no hospitality industry if the government does not reciprocate. We are doomed this time around if we are expected to be both, shut for business and not receive any relief. The government has to meet us somewhere in between. Shut us, but do justice to the owners, staff and their families. Take care of the salaries. Unburden the owners of the property tax, waive off the statutory fees, don't generate electricity and water bills until the industry becomes completely operational again,"said Pradeep Shetty, senior vice president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India.
The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown in the state from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in a bid to curb the surging coronavirus cases in the state.
News Courtesy: ET
