Maharashtra hotels reopen, but no room for error amid Covid-19 crisis

Staycations, discounts on offer to lure guests back; hotels to follow mandatory norms such as masks for all, social distancing

The more than 10,000 hotels in Maharashtra that remained shut for over three months reopened on Wednesday, giving some respite to an industry severely hit by the pandemic-induced lockdown. And though there is no clarity on when they will be allowed to open bars and restaurants for walk-in guests, hotels are going all out to woo their clientele back with special offers and packages.

Maharashtra’s “Mission Begin Again” that became effective from  July 8, stipulates several mandatory norms for hotels such as masks for all residents, sanitation measures, social distancing and so on. At this point, hotels have permission to