Maharashtra vax rule for staff impractical, say mall and restaurant owners

Initial euphoria turns to dismay as new rules say staff need to have taken two vaccine doses and completed 14 days after the second. Only fully-vaccinated can visit malls 14 days after second jab

Retailers and restaurant owners are up in arms over a Maharashtra government diktat that allows them to function only with fully vaccinated staff from August 15 onwards.

In its submission to the government, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) said members would open stores by deputing staff that have been administered a single dose and would follow all standard operating procedures governing health and sanitation.

Anurag Katriar, president of the National Restaurant Association of India, said the new rule is more draconian than the existing conditions and will force outlets to either flout them or fold up.

On Wednesday, the