Pune: Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday issued a notice stating that if restaurants, bars and cafes found violating the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) declared by the state government may face strict action.

The state government allowed restaurants to resume its operations after seven months. The cafes, restaurants are now allowed to run from 8 am to 10 pm in the city for dine-in services with a maximum of 50 per cent of seating capacity. Considering the strict rules, the Divisional Commissioner has made clear that hotels, bar and restaurant owners will pay fine if they found violating the guidelines.

As per the circular issued, restaurants, bars will be fined Rs 10,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively for three times if found violating the norms. If they are found violating the SOPs for the third time, the license of the bar and restaurants will be suspended. The officials from the municipal corporation have been ordered to check the establishments and levy the fine, while the police have been ordered to collect the fines.

Saurabh Rao in his circular has clearly mentioned that the officials from the municipal and the members from the associations of restaurants, bars and hotels will need to keep an eye on it. In order to curtail the further spread of novel COVID-19, a team will be made which will consist of officials from the civic body and members of hotel association who will visit the restaurant and bars in Pune region to check whether the rules are followed or not.

Ganesh Shetty, President, Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association (PRAHA) said, “We completely understand the SOPs and the guidelines issued by the state government and we are following it strictly. The norms are new for the restaurants as well as for the customers. We are keeping a strict check on restaurants and hotels that the guidelines are followed.”