The Maharashtra government said on Monday cinema halls, hotels and restaurants found violating COVID-related rules will remain closed for a period until the COVID-19 pandemic stays notified as a disaster by the Centre. In a notification, the state government said that the violation of norms will result in the shutting down of the establishment as long as the Central government’s notification of the COVID-19 pandemic as a “disaster” is in force.

The notification comes in the wake of rising coronavirus cases in the state. Maharashtra on Monday recorded 15,051 infections of coronavirus, a day after it recorded the biggest spike of the year with 16,620 COVId-19 cases. 

Nobody will be allowed inside these establishments without wearing a mask and a temperature check, the Maharashtra government said in the notification.

The state’s COVID-19 tally is now at 2,329,464 while the death toll from coronavirus stood at 52,909 after 48 new fatalities.

The notification said that establishments (cinema halls, hotels, offices) will ensure they have enough personnel to enforce the mask rule as well as physical distancing by all visitors.

These restrictions will be applicable to shopping malls in the state too. The 50% capacity rule will not apply to offices dealing with health and other essential services.