Mumbai Unlock: Parks, beaches open, but no call on zoo yet

Easing the Covidrelated restrictions somewhat the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC on Monday allowed gardens playgrounds and beaches to remain open till 10 pm Restrictions on visiting open places had come into force when the second wave hit the city earlier this yearIn a circular issued on Sunday the civic body decided to continue with the state governmentrsquos August 11 orders where malls and restaurants were allowed to operate till 10 pm The order also empowered the civic body to decide on opening gardens and beaches and as such they will be accessible from 6 am to 10 pmIn all 860 parks 318 grounds and beaches in Mumbai are being opened said Additional Municipal Commissioner East Suburbs Ashwini Bhide and Gardens Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi However no decision has been made on Byculla ZooAlso read Covid19 Maharashtra confirms 10 more Delta Plus casesBMCrsquos appeal to citizensThe move is part of the lsquoBreak the Chainrsquo measures to restore public life in the city Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal appealed to citizens to cooperate by following Covid19 protocols while using public places However the last time the beaches were opened up the crowding had prompted the civic administration to prohibit access as soon as the second wave hitldquoIt is important to maintain a safe distance in public places without crowding In addition everyone must wear a maskRegular hand hygiene with disinfectant or soap and water is also beneficial Therefore citizens are being appealed to cooperate with the municipal administration by following all these rules properly Violations of the Covid Prevention Directive will result in legal actionrdquo reiterated a press statement issued by the civic bodyRandom testingWith the lifting of a majority of restrictions municipal wards have been told to increase testing to keep the infection in check Since not many are aware of the reopening crowds were minimal on Monday Ward offices however are to not take chances and will conduct random testingUnder18s can show Aadhaar PAN college IDAfter making full vaccination compulsory for allowing staff to work and patrons to enter shopping malls the government came up with a solution on Monday to save the under18 population from hassles they could face because of lack of Covid vaccination This particular age group has been advised to carry any government issued ID like PAN Aadhaar or schoolcollege ID card bearing the date of birth Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte said in a notification that since the under18 population has not been vaccinated yet a revised clause has been added to the unlock guidelines pertaining to shopping malls which will remain open till 10 pm He reiterated a mandatory condition that the staff and the patrons would be allowed 14 days after taking the second jabBMC additional commissioner Kakani gets CovidSuresh Kakani the backbone of Mumbairsquos preparation against Covid19 has been infected with the virus and is being treated at a civicrun hospital The additional commissioner of the BMC and incharge of health is continuing to monitor the situation in the city from his hospital bed for now Kakani tested positive after exhibiting mild symptoms last Thursday He was admitted to SevenHills Hospital on Friday His condition is currently stable Kakani told midday ldquoI am feeling much better now and there is nothing to worry aboutrdquo11Day in August the state govt issued orders on relaxations