Central Government allowed the shops to reopen with some terms and conditions

It’s been one month into the nationwide lockdown to check the spread of the novel coronavirus or Covid-19. All the shops in the residential areas have been allowed to reopen from today with the conditions by the government. But those shops which are in the malls are still remain closed. Late night Union Home Ministry ordered that the gloves, masks, and adherence to the social distancing norms are mandatory. This is a huge relief to the shopkeepers and the buyers. 

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“All registered shops regd (registered) under Shops & Establishment Act of respective States/ UTs, including shops in residential complexes, neighborhood & standalone shops exempted from #lockdown restrictions,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a late-night order, adding that “shops in single and multi-brand malls also, Market complexes, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, are allowed to open are not exempted.”

Only 50 percent of the staff will be allowed in these shops. The relaxations are not applicable to the hotspota and the containment zones. All the shops and markets shall remain open in rural and semi-rural areas. But these shops should be registered. In the cities, only standalone shops and residential shops can open. Salons, barber-shops can be reopened but they should not be in the market complex. Standalone tailor shops in the residential complexes can be open. 

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More than 24000 people are infected with coronavirus, across India. Over 700 have lost their lives due to the highly contagious illness, which had originated in China and spread across the world. A nationwide lockdown has been imposed to check its spread. It has been extended to May 3, last week. An ease to the total shutdown in non-containment zones to give a boost to the economic activity in line earlier this week, with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call. 

India’s doubling rate of coronavirus cases has improved to 10 days, from 7.5 days reported earlier this week, the center said on Friday, suggesting that the lockdown has been a success.