Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said all shops dealing in non-essential items will remain closed in Pune for Ganpati immersion on September 19 as the Covid-19 positivity rate was improving in the district and crowds needed to be discouraged during the last day of the festival.

However, eateries would remain open and detailed instructions on these would be issued by the district and civic authorities, he added. "During the review of the Covid-19 situation of Pune district, it was understood the situation in the district is gradually improving. The weekly positivity rate and death rate in Pune has come down. As a precautionary move to discourage crowds on immersion day on Sunday, all shops under the non-essential category will remain closed in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits and the three cantonment areas," he said.