Re-open eateries and bars in Maharashtra, say bodies, as Delhi blinks

Bars in national capital to welcome guests on Wednesday

Restaurant bodies have urged the Maharashtra government to allow eateries and bars to re-open in the state, as Delhi prepares to usher in guests at its bars and pubs on Wednesday. Last week, the Maharashtra government had permitted hotels to reopen with full capacity, allowing restaurants within these properties to operate only for in-house guests.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) said it was important to permit all eateries and bars to reopen in the state, since their survival rate had fallen sharply on account of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.

"Restaurants are the backbone of the food services