Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered hotels and restaurants in the State on Saturday to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols in their premises and not force the state to enforce drastic measures like lockdown.

He met the representatives of hotel and restaurant associations, shopping centre groups, at a virtual meeting on Saturday. In the virtual meeting Uddhav Thackeray said a “lackadaisical” attitude towards outbreak norms had crept in lately. Thackeray also said “Do not force us to impose a strict lockdown. Consider this as the last warning. Follow all the rules. Everyone has to realise there is a difference between self-discipline and restrictions”.

He pointed out that crowds had increased in most places since activities resumed in a phased manner from October, and safety rules were not being followed and this had resulted in a steep surge in cases. “Last week, a Central Team visited Mumbai and one of the members told me no one was wearing masks or following social distancing at a hotel they visited. Initially, hotels, restaurants were adhering strictly to Covid-19 norms, but now everyone has become lackadaisical,” he said.

Mumbai Municipal Commissioner IS Chahal suggested that the hotel and restaurant associations can organize flying squads to check if outbreak norms were being followed. These associations said member establishments not adhering to rules will be removed, while shopping centre representatives said they could deploy “Covid- 19 marshals” to check people in malls, while entry into food courts will be restricted.