Days after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) allowed standalone shops to open on alternate days, it has approved the same for shops inside markets across the city. However, ward officials will have to decide on opening markets near Containment Zones. There are around 200 markets in the city under BMC's Market Department.

The decision comes following requests from various traders and shopkeepers associations. All shops in these markets except restaurants and canteens will now be open on alternate days. Earlier, only essential shops in these markets had permission to open. "There are 92 BMC markets, 16 private markets and 95 markets developed under reservation policy. All shops in these markets can now open based on certain conditions. Ward officials will have to decide on opening markets in and around CZs," said a BMC official.