BMC amends another order on closure of non-essentials, now allows hardware shops to reopen

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday night amended its previous order and allowed reopening of standalone electronics and hardware shops in city during coronavirus-enforced lockdown. Civic commissioner Praveen Pardeshi said re was an urgent need to keep such shops open to some extent.

"It has been observed that much essential and life- saving medical equipment, IT systems related to health systems and machines, vehicles are in a state of disrepair due to closing down of electronics and hardware shops. Hence, re was an urgent need to keep such shops open to some extent," read BMC's amended order signed by Pardeshi.

Pardeshi directed all assistant commissioners of wards to permit one standalone electronic and hardware shop on each road to remain open during lockdown.  According to BMC officials, in view of order some electronics and hardware shops could be opened from Thursday.

Here is order:

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BMC order on Tuesday on closure of n-essentials 

On Tuesday, BMC anunced closure of liquor shops and n-essential shops, just a day after relaxation of lockdown guidelines. Amid rising number of cases in Mumbai, BMC also issued revised guidelines with respect to those issued by Home Ministry after it extended lockdown till May 17. financial capital city has also been recognized as a red zone by Central Government. 

Pardeshi stated that he is 'convinced' that relaxation tification by Home Ministry would only deteriorate condition in Mumbai city and hence relaxations will have to be withdrawn. Action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) shall be initiated against those who fail to comply with new order.

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Covid cases in Mumbai

As of Wednesday at 6 pm, 769 more positive vel coronavirus cases were reported in Mumbai, thus crossing  10,000 mark. 215 COVID-19 patients who tested positive between May 2 and 4 in various laboratories have also been included in overall tally. Thus, re are 10,527 vel coronavirus cases in Mumbai currently. Moreover, 25 persons passed away owing to COVID-19 in day, taking death toll to 412. 19 of deceased patients had high-risk co-morbidities. But, in a positive development, 159 persons were discharged from hospitals taking number of recovered persons to 2287. 

READ | Mumbai records 769 cases & 25 deaths in 24 hours; total COVID-19 tally rises to 10,527

READ | Mumbai: Liquor shops to be shut again amid lockdown, MCGM issues revised guidelines