Pune: Pune: In what came as a major blow in the set of new restrictions for Punekars is that all shops in Pune city other than essential services will remain shut till April 30.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday decided to shut all shops till April 30 amid rise in new COVID-19 cases. However, essential services shops have been exempted from this.

Pune Municipal Commissioner, Vikram Kumar, in a new order issued on Monday said, "Section 144 is imposed from Monday to Friday in the city where five or more people are not allowed to gather. While, there will be complete lockdown from Friday evening and will remain in place till Monday morning."

Essential services will continue to operate:

- Hospitals, private labs and centres, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, other medical and health services will remain operational.

- Groceries, vegetable and fruit shops, dairies, bakeries and confectioners can stay open.

- Pre-monsoon work, all public services by local authorities will function

- Transport of goods and agriculture related services too remain open.

- E-commerce activities will be allowed too.

- Accredited Media services

- Newspaper vendors, publication can remain functional.

However, the traders in Pune have opposed the decision of the government. “The government should take decision after considering the situation of the traders also. The decision is unfair," said Fatehchand Ranka, President of Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP).

Ganesh Shetty, President of Pune Restaurants & Hoteliers Associations (PRAHA), has already expressed concern about the situation after the government decided to shut restaurants, cafes and bars. He stated that the loss is huge and many of the staff working in this sector is seen returning to their hometown.

Meanwhile, Pune city reported 4,077 new COVID-19 cases on Monday while 36 lost their lives. With 4,077 new cases, the active caseload has gone to 2,94,121.