The MHA also clarified, as per mentioned in national directives for COVID-19 management, that sale of liquor and other items will continue to be prohibited.
New Delhi| In an attempt to ease restrictions in non-containment zones across the country, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has now issued new orders allowing shops in residential complexes to open.
The order comes a day after the ministry gave a green light to shops selling electric fans and books for students. The new order is seen as significant marking in easing the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 lockdown.
In new order issued on Friday night, the MHA has said that “all shops under Shops and Establishment Act of States and union territories, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single-brand malls, outside limits of Municipal Corporations,” have been excluded from the revised restrictions and will continue to stay closed.
It has also directed the store owners to function with 50% of staff strength wearing masks and following the social distancing norms.
The order has further highlighted that that neighborhood and standalone shops within the confine of municipal corporations are also allowed to function.
However, the MHA issued an amendment to this order on Saturday. According to the MHA, the order issued on Friday regarding allowing the shops to function implies that-
- In rural areas, all shops except those in shopping malls are allowed to function.
- In Urban areas, all shops in the neighbourhood and standalone shops are allowed to operate. Shops residing in markets/market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to function.
The ministry has also clarified that e-commerce sales will continue only for essential supplies.
The ministry also clarified, as per mentioned in national directives for COVID-19 management, sale of liquor and other items will continue to be prohibited.
It has also been stressed that no matter if it is a rural or urban area, shops will not be allowed to open in containment zones either in states or union territories.
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