Pune: The Maharashtra Government on Friday declared a directive permitting restaurants and shops to remain open till 1 am and 11 pm, respectively. Till now, restaurants were allowed to remain function till 11 pm, while shops could remain open till 10 pm.

The move is welcomed by the restaurant owners as the restaurant and hospitality sector is suffering heavy losses amid COVID-19 crisis. Apart from the COVID-19, restaurants especially serving non-veg delicacies also suffered due to bird flu spread in Maharashtra.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the Maharashtra government’s decision to allow restaurants to operate till 1 am. The extension will definitely be a boost for businesses and encourage several restaurants to reopen, which have continued to remain shut since the Covid-induced lockdown,” Pradeep Shetty, senior vice president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association Of Western India (HRAWI) told The Indian Express.

Currently, diners have to be at the restaurant before 10.00 pm to ensure they have a table and the last order is issued by 10:30 pm.

The directorate of tourism of the Maharashtra government has already issued guidelines for restaurant owners and diners. It includes COVID-19 hygiene while serving food and beverages, seating preparations within restaurant or cafe premises, table etiquette, digital or disposable paper menus, and other COVID-19 restrictions.

Apart from restaurants, all the shops will now be permitted to operate till 11 pm in Maharashtra, the government cleared. However, only 30 per cent staff will be permitted to run the shops, according to the latest guidelines.