Mumbai, Jun 1 (IANS): With the easing in lockdown implemented from Monday, masked crowds of men and women turned out in Mumbai in markets, grounds and open spaces for essential purchases or exercising, and shopkeepers took up spring-cleaning operations to welcome customers.
In several parts of the city, vehicles also came out in large numbers though no traffic snarls were reported, but suburban trains - Mumbai's lifeline and biggest crowd puller - have not been permitted.
Many shopkeepers, in anticipation of opening up gradually this week onwards, raised shutters, armed with brooms and mops for cleaning and sprucing up operations.
"We have remained shut for 10 weeks now... nobody came here, all our workers left for their home state in Punjab in April. We have to clean up, check the condition of our stocks before we open up for customers," said M.L. Gala, proprietor of a garment shop in Vile Parle.
Ditto was the response of electrics and hardware shop-owner Ramesh Maly, who examined all his delicate electrical stocks and other materials that were lying abandoned for over two months.
"With monsoon approaching, we have to ensure the metal stocks like taps, pipes, grills, etc don't get rusted or they will be worthless," said Maly, minutely checking each box, tray, shelf at his Kandivali shop.
Pharmaceutical manufacturer and wholesaler Rakesh Upadhyay opened his tiny warehouse in Borivali where non-medical Ayurvedic supplies like creams, ointments, oils, etc were stored, and was relieved to find rats and spiders had spared it.
"Now, the challenge is to make pre-monsoon preparations, ensure no water seepage in the godown from the floor, windows or the roof within the next 3-4 days," Upadhyay said.
In some large grounds, housing complexes and residential colonies people with masks turned out in singles or doubles to stretch their home-weary bodies with short walks, jogging, cycling or simply chatting up to renew social ties with adequate physical distance.
"We have informed our society residents that children below 10 and senior citizens above 65 or persons with comorbidities must avoid stepping out. The rest are permitted with full Covid-19 precautions for not more than 30 minutes," said S. P. Singh, the office-bearer of a housing complex in Bhandup.
However, there was little or no activity noticed in the designated Red Zones or Containment Zones in the city and suburbs, including the sensitive ones manned by contingents of the Central Armed Police Force to implement the lockdown restrictions.
On May 31, the Maharashtra government while continuing the lockdown till June 30, announced a series of measures to ease the restrictions in phases from June 1, 3 and 8, though most public places like malls, multiplexes, cinemas, schools, colleges, etc will remain shut.