The rapid spread of Covid-19 has forced the government to announce lockdown-like restrictions across the state of Maharashtra, home to the city of Mumbai, from Monday evening. A complete lockdown will be imposed on weekends, India’s Economic Times reported.

A state government notification issued Sunday said all shops except essential services would remain shut till the end of the month. This means theatres, cinemas, malls, gardens and playgrounds will remain closed, and a curfew will be imposed nightly from 8pm to 7am.

Industry association such as the Retail Association of India (RAI) and Shopping Centres Association of India (SCAI) had been urging the government to avoid another lockdown, with the latter’s chairman, Mukesh Kumar, saying the industry was already suffering because of existing restrictions, which included random mandatory tests for mall visitors and reduced opening hours.

“We will not be able to take another lockdown,” Kumar said.