BMC orders closure of shops on alternate days across Mumbai
According to releases issued by several BMC wards, shops on one side of the road have been asked to remain open on particular days of the week and the other side on the remaining days (Representational Image)
In a bit to reduce crowding and encourage social distancing in wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC) on Thursday ordered the closure of shops on alternate days in most parts of the city till further orders.
The Assistant Municipal Commissioners of several BMC wards have ordered the closure of shops, in areas under their jurisdiction, on alternate days of the week to order to avoid crowding and implement social distancing.
The officials have passed the order by exercising the power conferred upon them under sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897.
The areas where shops have been ordered to remain closed on alternate days extend from South Mumbai in Mumbai City to Borivali in Mumbai Suburban.
In most cases, all shops on one side of the road have been asked to remain open on particular days of the week and the other side on the remaining days.
For example, in Prabhadevi and Lower Parel shops on south-bound roads will be closed on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday while those on north-bound roads will be closed on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Civic officials have already approached most shops and relayed the information. Several wards have also taken to Twitter to share the list of roads where establishments will be allowed to operate on which days.
The order applies to all shops and establishments, with the exception of medical stores, grocery shops, fuel stations, and banks.
The BMC has also ordered that any person who fails to implement the closure orders will be liable for penal action under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
In a similar exercise, the BMC-operated Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) buses, which ferry around 35 lakh Mumbaikars daily, also decided not to allow passengers to travel by standing in their buses from today.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra jumped to 47 on Thursday after two women tested positive for COVID-19 in the Mumbai metropolitan.
Across India, the number of cases jumped to 173 after a slew of fresh cases, including the first one from Chattisgarh and Chandigarh. Earlier today, the deadly virus claimed its fourth Indian victim after a man from Punjab succumbed to it.
Before this, one person each from Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra has died of the coronavirus infection.
Additionally, as many as 15 people infected by the virus have been discharged after receiving treatment to date, according to official data provided by the Ministry of Health.
Order by BMC Ward P-North
In order to promote social distancing and effectively combat Coronavirus, attached herewith is a list of all roads from Ward P-North that will remain closed is attached herewith.@mybmc #NaToCorona pic.twitter.com/3BcVbro8os
— Ward PN BMC (@mybmcWardPN) March 19, 2020
Orders by BMC Ward G-South
In exercise of powers conferred by Hon’ble MC & State Govt, @mybmcWardGS has identified following roads on which d shops & commercial activities will be closed on alternate days so as 2 contain d spread of Corona Virus.Medical, Grocery, banks are exempted from this order @mybmc pic.twitter.com/9OtSVXTnYV
— WARD GS BMC (@mybmcWardGS) March 19, 2020
Orders by BMC Ward T
— Ward T BMC (@mybmcWardT) March 19, 2020
