MUMBAI: A day after the Maharashtra government empowered the local authorities to fix timings for opening up of beaches, gardens and parks among easing of other restrictions, the BMC issued detailed orders for allowing them (beaches, gardens and parks) to stay open as per normal timing before the advent of the Covid-I9 pandemic.
The BMC order also stated that there shall be no restrictions on movement during night hours of 11pm to 5am. BMC commissioner IS Chahal said that positivity rate of Covid cases had dropped to 1.5%. In early January, positivity rate had touched almost 30% which was a concern owing to which restrictions were imposed.
Currently entry for morning/evening walkers to city gardens, recreational grounds, playgrounds parks was being allowed from 5am to 9am and 5pm to 8 pm.
The BMC in detailed order issued concerning areas within the municipal limits of Mumbai also allowed amusement/ theme parks, swimming pools, water-park to remain operational with 50% of the operational capacity. Marriages may have guests upto 25% of the capacity of the open ground and banquet halls or 200 whichever is lower.
The same is for restaurants, theaters, natyagrihas also allowed to stay open with 50 % capacity. However the BMC has said that there shall be strict adherence to the rules regarding Covid Appropriate Behaviour- CAB.
Local tourist spots, weekly bazars have also been allowed to remain open as per normal timing.
25% audience is permitted in competitive sports and other such activities including horse racing. This capacity is to be taken as capacity of fixed chairs or seating arrangement. Standing and movable crowd must be avoided, said the BMC.
The order which came into force from February 1, shall remain in force till February 28.
Bandra corporator Asif Zakaria said that currently there was regular patrolling at the Carter road and Bandra Bandstand promenade wherein crowding was not being allowed and on weekends, movement on the whole was restricted.
"This was also the case with Joggers Park and other high footfall areas. However with almost everything opening up in the city and Covid cases also in control, it was high time that restrictions were eased," said Zakaria.
