COVID-19: Shops to Reopen In Non-Hotspot Areas; Find Out What Reopens, What Stays Closed

NEW DELHI: A month after the all-India lockdown was implemented, the central government has allowed the opening of the neighbourhood and standalone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas. However, the exemptions will NOT be given in hotspots and containment areas.

The late-night order, issued by the home ministry, ended the essential-non essential categorisation and allowed shops selling all kinds of goods to open, giving a reprieve to the public at large.

Market complexes, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, are allowed to open.

Mandatory: 50% strength of workers, wearing of masks & observing #SocialDistancing

Relaxations not applicable in #Hotspots/containment zones

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 24, 2020

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.

The shops will be allowed to open, but at a 50 per cent strength and after taking necessary precautions such as wearing of masks by the shop workers and following of social distancing by them.

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 fresh round of easing of lockdown restrictions comes even as India registered the biggest single-day spike in cases, with 1,752 infections taking the tally to 23,452. The death toll stands at 723.

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.

List of shops that will open from today (Saturday, March 25, 2020):

1. Shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/Union Territory will be allowed to open.

2. Shops located in residential complexes and market complexes, outside the municipal corporations and municipalities, will be allowed to open.

3. Neighbourhood shops, standalone shops and those in residential complexes within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, will be allowed to open

4. Shops located in registered markets located outside the municipal corporations and municipalities can open only with 50 per cent staff after following precautionary measures such as practising social distancing, wearing masks etc.

5. Local salons and parlours will be allowed to open from Saturday.

6. All market are allowed to open in rural and semi-rural markets.

7. Shops and standalone stores in Urban areas would be allowed to operate only if they are located in residential areas.

List of shops that will remain closed till (at least) May 3, 2020:

1. All shops (multi-brand or single brand) outside the limit of municipal corporations and municipalities will remain closed

2. Shops in market complexes and shopping malls within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities to remain closed.

3. Cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls will remain closed.

4. Famous shopping markets such as Sarojini Market, Nehru Place Market, Lajpat Market etc will remain closed.

5. All liquor shops (government-owned/ private) will remain closed.

from League of India