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Decision on easing of curbs likely soon, traders look for relaxations in Pune
PUNE The decision on lifting some curbs in Pune and 24 other districts in Maharashtra is likely to be taken on Thursday or Friday, as chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has called a crucial meeting with members of the state task force and health department
PUNE The decision on lifting some curbs in Pune and 24 other districts in Maharashtra is likely to be taken on Thursday or Friday, as chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has called a crucial meeting with members of the state task force and health department.
The chief minister will review the Covid situation, post which, a decision on relaxations of existing curbs is likely to be taken.
“As many as 11 districts, where the positivity rate is higher than the state average, will not see relaxations. The public health department relief and rehabilitation department has sent a file to the CM with suggestions on relaxations in the other 25 districts, where shops are open till 4 pm now. There is a need to relax curbs in these 25 districts. The decision will be made in two days. CM will take a final call,” said Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope in Mumbai, on Wednesday.
The trader and business community in Pune are eagerly awaiting the decision regarding additional relaxations in Pune. Last week, after the Covid review meeting, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had announced that there was consensus among the attendees to ease curbs in Pune and a decision would be made on Monday. Traders are demanding an extension of timings of all shops till 7pm from the existing 4pm. Business operators have also asked for some relaxations on weekends as well.
“We have written multiple times to the administration regarding some relief. Timings of all the shops should be extended till 7pm on all days. Traders, shop owners and other business operators have become restless now. We were expecting a decision this Monday, but there were floods in some districts. So we can understand that. But, a definitive decision should be taken this week,” said Mahendra Pitaliya, secretary, Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP).
There are currently 2,488 active Covid patients in the city. The weekly positivity (July 22- July 28) rate is at 3.37% in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits.
“Positivity rate in Pune has gone below 4%. So what is the problem now to ease some restrictions? On our level we will take all the precautions to follow the Covid norms,” said Pitaliya.
The people’s representatives from Pune have supported the demand for relaxations. Muralidhar Mohol, mayor of Pune, also demanded extended timings for all services at the Covid review meeting. “In the city, all services should be allowed to remain open till 7pm on weekdays and till 5pm on weekends,” Mohol said.
Like traders hoteliers are also demanding an extension of timings for restaurants. “Our main business is in the evening. Dining hours in the restaurants should be extended in the evening,” said Ganesh Shetty, president, Hoteliers Association of Pune.
