Maharashtra tweaks Covid rules, allows gyms, beauty parlours to function at 50% capacity

A day after the Maharashtra government came out with a fresh set of guidelines in wake of the third wave of Covid-19, it has tweaked the norms, allowing gyms and beauty salons to function with 50 per cent capacity even as the hotel industry sought relaxation in timings.

On Saturday, the government had said gyms and beauty salons will remain closed, while hair-cutting salons will function at 50 per cent capacity - triggering resentment.

However, on Sunday, it revised the order and the beauty salons were grouped with the hair-cutting salons and also allowed gyms to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Sports complexes, swimming pools, spas and wellness centres will continue to remain shut.

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"Gyms are allowed to remain open with 50 per cent capacity, subject to use of masks while performing any activity. Only fully vaccinated persons shall be allowed to use these services. All the staff engaged in operation shall be fully vaccinated," the new order said.

Meanwhile, hoteliers have requested the government to have a relook at the directive of shutting down at 10 pm.

“Hotels and restaurants had just started to return to normalcy after about 15 months of restricted operations. After the two successive lockdowns, hotels and restaurants have infused significant capital to reopen and restart operations. Presently there is considerable fear and anxiety in the sector. The effects of the new Covid wave will debilitate the hospitality industry. We request the state government to allow us to operate at least till 11 pm,” said Pradeep Shetty, senior vice president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI).

"There has been a lot of effort put in to bring back workers. Repayment of loans taken to restart operations after the lockdowns is another major area of concern. The State government will have to support us this time around if a disaster is to be averted. It should immediately come out with a direct salary transfer scheme for hospitality employees in addition to waiving off all statutory fees, taxes and utility bills. It is also imperative upon the Govt to come up with a credit extension scheme or some kind of moratorium to protect the owners and operators from credit defaults owing to the third wave,” he added.

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