LOCKDOWN 2.0: Centre Allows Shops to Open With Conditions

Amid the national lockdown to check the spread of the contagious coronavirus, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in its late night order, issued on Friday, permitted the shops providing non-essential goods and services to open from Saturday (April 25) onwards. However, shops in market places, multi-brand and single brand malls as well as market complexes will remain closed till May 3.
The relaxations will not be applicable to coronavirus hotspots and containment zones. Shops are allowed to remain functional only with 50% of the staff. Wearing masks and adhering to the social distancing norms is mandatory for all. Union home ministry added that the social distancing must be strictly maintained.
All registered shops under Shops & Establishment Act of respective States/ UTs, including shops in residential complexes, neighborhood & standalone shops release from lockdown restrictions,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a late-night order, adding that “shops in single and multi-brand malls”
All restaurants, salons, barber shops and liquor stores will remain closed, the government said. “Market complexes, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, are allowed to open,” the order reads.

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All the shops that are registered as per the order can be opened in rural and semi-rural areas. In cities, only standalone shops and residential shops can open. Malls, cinemas, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars and auditoriums continue to remain shut.
Two states – Delhi and Assam – have said they will not permit shops to be opened till the situation. While Delhi will hold a review later today, Assam will assess the situation on Monday.
“Discussions are underway. Whatever is finalised, will be started only after 30th April,” Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain told news agency ANI. In Mumbai, the restrictions won’t be eased, the city police tweeted this afternoon.
As many as 24,506 people have tested positive for COVID-19, over 775 have died due to the highly contagious illness, which originated in China’s Wuhan city in December and spread across the world within months. A nationwide lockdown to check its spread began on March 25; it was extended to May 3 last week.
Earlier this week, the government eased the “total shutdown” in non-containment zones to give a boost to economic activity in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call.
The home ministry order to reopen neighbourhood shops providing non-essential services comes on the eve of holy month of Ramzan is being seen as a relief to people who have been under lockdown since March 24 to combat novel coronavirus.