Maharashtra Reopens Multiplexes, Religious Places: Dates, Rules, Exceptions

With the economy returning back to normal to full swing amid increasing vaccinations and decreasing number of Covid cases, citizens were demanding reopening of the rest of the public places such as Multiplexes and Cinema halls. The trustees of various religious trusts and movie industry fraternities have been lobbying for the same for a long time now. It looks like the gods from both the world have decided to grant the wishes of their followers.

Maharashtra to restart reopening from October 7

The Maharastra govt on has announced that it will reopen all religious places starting October 7. The day also marks the starting of the auspicious days of Navratri.

“All temples in Maharashtra to be reopened from October 7, the first day of Navratri,”, said the Maharashtra chief minister’s office. It also cautioned the citizens to strictly abide by Covid-19 restrictions.

It should be noted that after the first coronavirus wave waned, places of religious worship were reopened in Maharashtra in November last year, but they were forced to shut down again after the second wave started in the state in March 2021.

Multiplexes to reopen from October 22

The pandemic had also forced multiplexes to shut down. It was a huge blow on the face of the whole movie ecosystem. Moviemakers and fans were equally awaiting the reopening of cinema halls. Film Producers had lined up many projects whereas fans were eager to experience the cinema on big screen.

Finally, the government of Maharashtra has allowed cinema halls to reopen from October 22. Both Producers and fans have equally rejoiced after this decision.

Maharashtra is reopening in the following manner

• From August 15, local trains are ferrying frontline and essential service workers, as well as or those citizens who are fully vaccinated.
• Restaurants are allowed to open with 50 percent capacity with Covid guidelines in place. All employees, working, must be fully vaccinated. All restaurants can operate all day till 10 pm, however, parcel services are allowed 24 hours a day.
• All essential and non-essential shops are permitted to operate till 10 pm on all days.
• Gyms, yoga centers, salons, spas, beauty parlors are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity till 10 am on all days.
• Offices are allowed to operate at 25% of total employee strength, as private offices with staggering work hours can operate for 24 hours a day.
• Marriages are allowed with 100 people maximum at closed premises and 200 maximum at open-air premises.
• All indoor sports, like badminton, table tennis, Squash, parallel bar, Mallkhamb, are allowed with only two sportspersons allowed per sports subject. Everyone, including sportspersons, staff should be fully vaccinated.
• Maharashtra has also announced the reopening of schools for classes 5 to 12 in rural areas and 8 to 12 in urban areas starting October 4.

So, with all the curbs being lifted in a phased manner, we can expect and hope that things will go back to normal very soon.