Shops in rural areas to open, market places and malls to remain shut

New Delhi: In a reprieve to public at large, the government on Friday night allowed opening of neighbourhood and stand-alone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas, but at a 50 per cent strength and after taking necessary precautions.

However, the order signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, made it clear that shops in market places, multi-brand and single brand malls located in municipality areas shall continue to remain closed till May 3.

Kerala Chief  Secretary Tom Jose said the small-scale shops in the state can be opened in accordance with the Centre's order on easing of lockdown protocol.

Following the announcement, Kerala General Administration Department also informed that the shops in panchayats can function from Saturday onwards.

However, the exemptions will not be given in hotspots and containment areas. Sale of non-essential items by e-commerce platforms and sale of liquor also prohibited till May 3.

Amending its April 15 order, the Union Home Ministry said "neighbourhood shops and stand-alone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT" will be allowed to open during the lockdown.

The shops will mandatorily have 50 per cent strength of workers wearing of masks and following social distancing. Opening of neighbourhood shops is being seen as a relief to people who have been under lockdown since March 24 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

The Home Ministry order comes on the eve of Muslim holy month Ramadan.

The ministry also said shops located in registered markets located outside the municipal corporations and municipalities can open after following the drill of social distancing and wearing of masks but with 50 per cent of strength. However, single and muti-brands shall continue to remain closed in these areas also.

"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.

Masks, gloves and social distancing norms will be a must for workers in these establishments.

Here is a look at what reopens from Saturday, as per Centre's order:

• All shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/Union Territory, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, outside the municipal corporations and municipalities, will be allowed to open.

• Neighbourhood shops, stand-alone shops and shops in residential complexes within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities.

• Stand-alone tailor shops in residential complexes can open.

• Shops in registered markets outside municipal corporations and municipalities can open only with 50 per cent staff.

• In urban areas, non-essential goods and services will be allowed to operate provided they are in residential areas or is a stand-alone shop.

• Market complexes, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, are allowed to open.

• Sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only

What will remain shut:

• All multi-brand or single-brand malls and cinemas in both rural and city limits.

•  Restaurants, hair salons and barber shops will not be allowed to open as these render services and do not fall under the shop category

• Shopping complexes with clusters of shops.

• Shops in market complexes within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities.

• Gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, theatres, boutiques in malls, bars and auditoriums

• Liquor shops

•Sale of cigarettes, gutka  

• Jewellers

Meanwhile, the Assam government on Saturday said there will be no relaxation in the ongoing lockdown to allow opening of shops in residential areas, as ordered by the Centre, and a final decision will be taken on April 27.

More clarity needed: RAI

Meanwhile, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) on Saturday said the government's order to allow reopening of neighbourhood and stand-alone shops needs more clarity for easier implementation, saying it is open to interpretation as terms like "market complexes" are not easily understood.

The retail industry body said keeping in mind the current environment and lessons learnt by opening up of essential retail through the lockout, "we would recommend that the government open up all channels of retail on a date that it feels safe with the social distancing norms clearly defined" while also asking for malls to be allowed to open.

"We feel the current circular is open to interpretation and needs more clarity for easier implementation - terms like market complexes are not easily understood," RAI said in a statement.

While extending support to the government's efforts to open up the retail sector, the industry body further said, "We at RAI are willing to work with the government to make this process of opening retail easier without compromising on social distancing norms."

RAI also reiterated its demand to open up all channels of retail to help both consumers and businesses during the lockdown.

India on Friday recorded 1,752 fresh cases taking the total number of infected people to 23,452 even as doubling rate of the disease improved to 10 days from 7.5 reported earlier this week, according to the Health Ministry.

The death toll from the infection rose to 723 with 37 fatalities reported since Thursday evening, said an official, adding about 20.52 per cent of the infected people have recovered so far.

The officials said the outbreak of the pandemic has been "under control" in India largely due to a robust surveillance network along with implementation of the lockdown and other containment measures.