Hotels outside containment zones to open with 33% capacity in Maharashtra from July 8

Mumbai, July 7: Maharashtra government on Monday allowed hotels and other entities providing accommodation services including lodges, guest houses to resume operations in the state including Mumbai and outside COVID-19 containment zones from July 8.

 

 

 

The move comes a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had held a meeting with hoteliers. The chief minister said that the reopening of hotels and restaurants needs to be done carefully with a focus on health and safety measures. These establishments have been allowed to operate with 33 percent capacity, as per the norms of the state government.

 

Hotels can keep their restaurants open only for guests living in hotels, while standalone restaurants still have to wait for another round of discussions. There will be mandatory thermal screening and reception tables with protective glass and hand sanitizers with pedal-operated dispensers.

 

 

Hotels will have to adopt contactless processes like QR code, online forms, digital payments like e-wallet for both check-ins, check-out, and paying orders inside the premises. The notification also states that the number of guests in the elevators will be restricted to ensure social distancing. Further, the Maharashtra government has also asked restaurants to provide e-menus to guests and use disposable paper napkins.

 

Rooms and other service areas shall be sanitized each time a guest vacates the room. After the client's stay is over, the room should be left unoccupied for at least 24 hours. All linens, towels should be changed after the guest vacates the room.

 

For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30° C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.

 

While gaming, swimming pools, children’s play areas, and gymnasiums will remain closed. Guests will have to wear masks at all times in the hotel. It has been made clear that only asymptomatic guests shall be allowed and all guests must download the Aarogya Setu app compulsorily and declare travel history at the reception.

 

Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, benches, washroom fixtures, etc) to be made mandatory in all guest service area and common areas.

 

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in the country with over 2.6 lakh cases and 8,822 fatalities. The state has reported 1,11,740 recoveries while 86,040 cases are still active.