MUMBAI: The city's civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) commissioner I S Chahal has issued new guidelines after the Maharashtra government granted relaxations in COVID-19 curbs in 25 districts as cases show a reduction in numbers, according to which shops in the city can now remain open till 10 pm on all days. 

The BMC has among other relaxations like the resumption of all indoor and outdoor sports activity excluding swimming, has also okayed resumption of shooting for films and television serials in its limit area, however, restaurants and hotels can function till 4 pm only with the mandatory 50% of their capacities.

The civic body has however issued a very stern warning of strict action if COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is not followed by people in public places and fines will be levied for flouting any pandemic related norms.

In the relaxations announced by the Maharashtra government in 25 districts which have been showing a low positivity rate of the infection, the existing business timings of shops and shopping malls can now be allowed to operate till 8 pm on weekdays as against earlier time limit of 4 pm and till 3 pm on Saturdays.

As per the order issued by Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, for the remaining 11 of the 36 districts in the state, which includes Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Ratnagiri, the 'Level 3' restrictions will remain in place, while in Sindhudurg, Satara and Ahmednagar, considering the emergence of fresh cases in these districts the order has said that the local administration will be imposing more effective restrictions.