New Delhi (NVI): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today issued an order to allow opening of all shops, including shops in residential complexes, neighborhood & standalone shops.
Giving relaxation in the category of Commercial and private establishments, MHA has issued an order to all States and Union Territories, that shops in market complexes, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, would be allowed to open. Shops in single & multi-brand malls would not be allowed to open anywhere.
The order implies that, shops in rural areas will be allowed to open except those in shopping malls. Whereas, in urban areas, all standalone shops, neighborhood shops & shops in residential complexes will be allowed to open. However, shops in markets/market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open.
The shops will have to function with 50 per cent worker strength and masks and social distancing will be mandatory.
The MHA order further states that sale by e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only.
In addition to this, sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the National Directives for COVID-19 management.
It should be noted that, these shops will not be permitted to open in areas, whether rural or urban, which are declared as containment zones or hotspots by respective state governments.
