Reopening Of Shops: Liquor Stores To Stay Shut; Online Stores Can Sell Only Essentials, Says MHA

New Delhi: In a reprieve to the public at large, the government on Friday night allowed opening of neighbourhood and standalone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas, but at a 50% strength and after taking necessary precautions.

Amending its April 15 order, the Union Home Ministry said ,”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. The shops will mandatorily have 50% strength of workers, who must wear masks and Follow social distancing.

Here is a list of what will be open from Saturday:

– Neighbourhood shops, standalone stores and those in residential complexes within municipal corporation and municipality limits.

– Local salons and barber shops will be allowed to run if they are not in market complexes.

– Standalone tailor shops in residential complexes

– In rural and semi-rural areas, all registered markets will be allowed to function.

– Non-essentials can be sold in shops in rural areas as well. In urban areas, non-essentials goods and services can operate only if they are in residential complexes or are standalone shops.

– Market complexes, apart from those within municipal corporation and municipality limits, will be allowed to operate.

However, the order signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, made it clear that shops in market places, multi-brand and single brand malls located in municipality areas shall continue to remain closed till May 3.

Here’s a list of other places will continue to remain shut:

– Malls, cinema halls, sports complexes, bars, swimming pools, auditoriums, entertainment parks, assembly halls and gyms.

– Complexes with clusters of shops in urban municipal areas.

– Big shops, brands and marketplaces.

– Stores in multi-brand and single-brand malls outside municipality limits.

Opening of neighbourhood shops is being seen as a relief to people who have been under lockdown since March 24 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

The Home Ministry order comes on the eve of Muslim holy month Ramzan.

The ministry also said shops located in registered markets located outside the municipal corporations and municipalities can open after following the drill of social distancing and wearing of masks but with 50% strength.

However, single and multi-brands shall continue to remain closed in these areas also.

“All shops registered under the the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/UT, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, with 50% strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory” will be allowed to function.

However, these exemptions will not be given in hotspots and containment areas.