Malls in Mumbai shut in line with the new 'Break the Chain' orders

Mumbai: After operating for only two days, malls in Mumbai have been asked to shut down again over their inability to comply with the state's 'Break the Chain' orders, issued on Monday.  In the circular, the Maharashtra government has underlined the need for full vaccination and a 14 day waiting period after being vaccinated, for all staffers at city malls. Earlier the BMC had announced that a single dose vaccine will suffice.

Reportedly, malls in Mumbai will remain closed for at least one month, till a significant percentage of employees get the second dose of vaccine. The Shopping Centres Association of India has also highlighted that the duration of this shutdown will also depend on the availability of the vaccines here. 

The BMC Chief in a statement clarified that malls in the city will comply with the two-dose vaccine rule of the state and remain closed. Meanwhile, the civic body has sent in a recommendation to the government to permit the single-dose vaccine rule for employees. It will also be discussed with the task force members, he added. 

Passengers who have received both doses of the COVID-19 shot and have completed a 14-day



antibody-incubation period are permitted to travel by local trains. The BMC has made special provisions to issue season ticket passes to such commuters. The QR-based travel pass can be procured from any suburban railway station in MMR or via the https://epassmsdma.mahait.org that verifies the vaccination certificate, facilitating public travel.

Employees engaged in essential services, government and semi-government jobs are exempted from getting the travel pass. These officials can undertake local train travel on the basis of their professional identity cards. 

As per the unlock guidelines effective from Sunday, August 15, restaurants and eateries are allowed to serve patrons till 10 PM at 50% capacity. The state on Monday further announced that chowpattys, public gardens, playgrounds and beaches in Mumbai will now remain open from 6 AM to 10 PM. 

Meanwhile, cinemas, multiplexes and places of worship will remain closed till further notice, read reports. People are urged to follow pandemic appropriate behaviour to arrest the probability of a future surge. With the 'third wave' threat looming over, eligible beneficiaries are encouraged to get the vaccine jab to bolster the state's immunity against the virus.