With
the
curb
in
the
number
of
COVID-19
cases
in
Maharashtra,
the
government
has
now
eased
the
restrictions
in
25
districts
in
the
state.
This
easing
includes
cinema
theatres
as
well
as
shopping
malls
opening
up.
There
has
also
been
an
extension
to
the
restaurants
and
the
shops
to
remain
open
along
with
dining
on
weekends
being
allowed.
However,
the
restrictions
will
continue
to
be
imposed
on
Sundays.
The
districts
where
the
relaxations
will
be
imposed
include
Thane,
Nashik,
Mumbai
and
Nagpur.
The
decision
was
taken
after
a
meeting
with
the
COVID-19
task
force
that
was
chaired
by
Maharashtra
Chief
Minister
Uddhav
Thackeray.
A
news
report
in
Times
of
India
quoted
Health
Minister
Rajesh
Tope
saying,
"It
has
also
been
agreed
to
allow
malls,
theatres
to
open
at
50%
capacity.
The
state
will
also
be
insisting
that
shop
owners
ensure
their
staffers
are
fully
vaccinated.
The
government
will
also
discourage
the
use
of
AC
(air-conditioning)
where
large
groups
of
people
have
been
allowed
like
wedding
halls.
It
is
better
for
establishments
to
open
their
windows
and
allow
for
better
circulation.
It
was
earlier
reported
that
PVR
Cinemas
in
a
statement
said
that
its
cinemas
will
resume
operations
from
July
30
in
states
and
union
territories
that
have
allowed
theatres
to
reopen.
States
like
Madhya
Pradesh,
Rajasthan,
Punjab,
Haryana,
Gujarat,
Andhra
Pradesh
and
Telangana
have
permitted
the
resumption
of
operations
in
cinema
halls
with
the
curb
in
the
number
of
COVID-19
cases.
PVR
also
introduced
a
'JAB
Offer'
for
the
customers.
As
part
of
the
scheme,
one
vaccinated
customer
can
get
another
ticket
free
on
selected
content
as
well
as
one
F&B
Combo
free
with
the
purchase
of
another
in
the
first
week
of
reopening.
The
multiplex
chain
stated
that
it
will
continue
to
follow
the
standard
operating
procedures
(SOPs)
mandated
by
the
Ministry
of
Information
&
Broadcasting,
as
part
of
normal
safety
and
hygiene
standards.
Talking
about
the
meeting,
the
news
report
stated
that
the
Chief
Minister
has
asked
the
authorities
to
make
sure
that
the
relaxations
are
done
with
all
the
COVID-19
guideline
measures
in
place
so
that
there
is
no
increase
in
the
COVID-19
cases.
The
government
will
also
focus
on
speeding
up
the
vaccination
process
as
a
precaution
for
the
third
wave.
This
news
may
come
as
a
positive
sign
for
the
films
that
are
scheduled
to
hit
the
theatres
in
the
latter
half
of
the
year.