Relief to biz community! Non-essential services to open up with certain restrictions

New Delhi, April 25: Bringing relief to the general public and business owners, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the order of relaxation to all shops selling non-essential goods to open with certain conditions. However, shops in single and multi-brand malls are still prohibited to operate during the lockdown.

 

 

It was reported that shops in residential complexes, neighborhoods, and standalone shops, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, are exempted from the lockdown restrictions. And the government has allowed the shops to function at 50% strength with adherence to wearing masks and gloves and following social distancing norms.

 

 

These relaxations are given by the state governments depending on the situation in a particular area. While Shops inside containment zones, hotspots, and areas that have had a high rate of coronavirus spread will also remain closed. The government also specified that shops under single and multi-brand malls will remain closed.

 

 

Bars and liquor shops will also not be operational until the lockdown is lifted.

  

The government modifies its April 15 order, the Ministry of Home Affairs has replaced the term "shopping complexes" with "market complexes" within the limits of municipal corporations and "municipalities".

 

Also, the order makes inclusions in sub-clause (xiii) and (xiv) under Clause 14 on commercial and private establishments to include all shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective states and union territories.

 

Besides that, the Opening of neighborhood shops is being seen as a relief to people who have been under lockdown since March 24 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. It will also aid gradual pickup in economic activities.