- By Aalok Sensharma
- Sat, 25 Apr 2020 07:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: The Delhi government on Saturday has decided to implement central government's order on opening of standalone and neighbourhood shops, state officials said.
Delhi government officials said that non-essential shops will be allowed to open, but not in coronavirus containment zones.
"Delhi government to implement MHA's latest guidelines. Stand-alone shops and shops in residential areas to remain open but social distancing to be followed and MHA's norms to be strictly implemented. No activity will be allowed in the containment zones," state government officials said, as reported by news agency ANI.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said that any decision on the directive of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be taken after the review of the situation by the state government. "Discussions are underway. Whatever is finalised, will be started only after April 30, 2020," said Jain.
The central government on Friday night issued a order, allowing neighbourhood and stand-alone shops to open from Saturday. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), however, said that shops will mandatorily have 50 per cent strength of workers wearing of masks and following social distancing.
In rural areas, all shops, except those in single and multi-brand shopping malls, are allowed to open.
However, a Home Ministry official said the final decision of whether to allow the additional shops to open or not will be taken by the state governments and Union Territory administrations depending on their respective COVID-19 situation.
The Union Home Ministry also said malls, liquor and cigarette shops, sale of non-essential items through e-commerce platforms continue to remain shut.
Restaurants, hair salons and barber shops will not be allowed to open as these render services and do not fall under the shop category.
"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 per cent strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory" will be allowed to function, the order said.
In a statement on Saturday, the Home Ministry said the order implies that in rural areas, all shops, except those in shopping malls are allowed to open.
In urban areas, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open.
Shops in markets and market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open.
"It is clarified that sale by e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only," the order said and also added that sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the national directives for COVID-19 management.
(With PTI inputs)
