Centre allows neighbourhood shops to open; Punjab Cabinet to discuss issue on April 30

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 25

In a late night development on Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order allowing opening of neighbourhood and standalone shops, including such that are in residential complexes within the limits of municipal areas.

In the order, the MHA, however, said, this relaxation would not be available in the designated COVID-19 hotspots and containment zones.

Also Read:

No relaxation for restaurants, salons, barber shops, clarifies MHA

Despite Central order, no relaxation in Chandigarh, Mohali, clarify UT adviser, DC

Lockdown likely to be extended in Mumbai, Pune

The shops, which are allowed to open, have to function with 50 per cent of their workers’ strength and also to follow COVID-19 protocols like wearing masks and ensuring social distancing.

The MHA in its order also clarified that shops in market places, multi-brand and single-brand malls located in municipal areas “shall continue to remain closed till May 3”.

The order states that “all shops, including neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective state and UT” will be allowed to open during the lockdown.

“As for shops in registered markets located outside the municipal corporations and municipalities, the order permits resuming operations after following the drill of social distancing and wearing of masks but with 50 per cent of strength,” it said.

Also read: Non-essential shops will not run in Chandigarh, Mohali until May 3

According to an official statement issued by the MHA, the government has amended the previous order issued by the Centre on April 15 which extended the 21-day nationwide lockdown further by 19 days till May 3.

Punjab yet to decide 

Chandigarh: However, Punjab government is yet to take a call on these directives, tweeted Special Chief Secretary KBS Sidhu.

“This does not automatically apply to Punjab, where restrictions have been imposed under section 144 CrPC. Please wait for formal announcement by Punjab Government,’’ he tweeted.

This does not automatically apply to Punjab, where restrictions have been imposed under section 144 CrPC.

Please wait for formal announcement by Punjab Government. https://t.co/JN4FUnJrOH

— KBS Sidhu, IAS, Spl. Chief Secretary, Punjab. (@kbssidhu1961) April 25, 2020