Stating that it has been "impossible" to maintain social distancing, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has decided to close all non-essential shops, including standalone stores selling liquor, as COVID-19 positive cases in Maharashtra crossed the 15,000 mark on May 5.
"There are multiple reports, news in social media and inputs received from the Police and the ward officials that due to above relaxation there has been huge crowds gathering near such shops and where it has been impossible to maintain social distancing and there were few instances of law and order situation arising out of such crowds gathering at one place," BMC chief Praveen Pardeshi said in a circular.
Pardeshi added that he is convinced the situation in the city is "going to deteriorate" due to the relaxation measures provided by the government, and he is therefore withdrawing the relaxations from the city.
"Only the groceries and the medical store/chemist shops will be allowed to open," Pardeshi said.
On May 3, the Maharashtra government said that it is allowing standalone shops, including liquor shops, to open in Red Zones from May 4, though they cannot be opened in containment zones.
Only five non-essential shops can be opened in each lane, but the number is not restricted for essential shops, the state government has said.
"... It has been observed that the number of positive cases in the city of Mumbai have been rising and the downward trend is yet to set in and gathering of crowds in large numbers without following social distancing will be detrimental to the control of spread of virus and the advantage of the lockdown will be lost due to gathering of people in large numbers," Pardeshi said.
The cases in Mumbai on stared at a grim 10,000-mark as the city reported 635 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases in the city to 9,758.
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