Civic Administration has again come out with a revised notification about the partial lockdown as confusion reigned supreme as to status of eateries during the weekend. On Wednesday, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B issued a modified order stating clearly that entire market, excluding shops in essential category, and also the restaurants would remained closed. This clarification became necessary and food industry was claiming that there's no restriction on its working on weekends as civic order was not explicitly clear and just referred to promoting on-line delivery mode.

 

This is the second time that NMC had to come out with additional notification after the first order about partial lockdown in view of rising cases of COVID-19 forced administration to take steps for stemming the transmission of virus. In today’s notification, Municipal Commissioner stated that hotels, all types of eateries plus dining rooms would have to ally itself with new lockdown guidelines. They however are allowed to continue with on-line delivery so as to ensure citizens at large do not suffer.

 

The idea behind weekend shutdown of commercial sector is to prevent large gathering that is seen with grave concern as there is increasing possibility of community transmission from such places. The NMC in second revised notification also issued guidelines about State-level/national/international level swimming pools and all the libraries and study rooms saying they too are closed with immediate effect till March 7.

 

After the review meeting headed by Guardian Minister Dr Nitin Raut on Monday, NMC ordered suspension of physical classes in schools, college and training institutions and also imposed ban on religious, political meetings, social and cultural programs in the city limits till March 7. For the food industry the weekend closure is going to affect their business to a great extent, that is a cause of concern.