Maha unlock: Local trains and malls now open for fully vaxxed

Mumbai: Wearied by months of lockdown hardship, Mumbaikars are looking forward to long-awaited relaxations in local train travel and business from Independence Day on Sunday.

- Bella Jaisinghani & Bhavika Jain

Malls can now reopen, while restaurants, gyms, salons and spas are permitted to function at 50% capacity till 10pm, helping ease livelihoods.

While easing restrictions, the state government has issued a rider than workforce in establishments like shops, malls, restaurants and even wedding halls should be fully vaccinated (14 days since the second dose), though BMC commissioner IS Chahal said on Friday that staffers with a single dose will also be allowed to work and shop owners have to display the vaccination status of their staff. However, till late on Saturday evening, no such change of rules was issued by the state and Chahal said he was awaiting orders from the government. Senior state government officials said the health department was expected to issue revised orders soon, and until then the current rule of having only fully vaccinated staff would be applicable.