Coronavirus in India: Which shops can now open as lockdown eased?
India's government has announced an easing of the Covid-19 lockdown in place in the country, allowing some shops selling non-essential goods to reopen.
The Indian government has eased the lockdown measures in place in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, allowing a limited reopening of shops providing non-essential goods and services in both urban and rural areas.
This loosening of restrictions does not cover any stores located in Covid-19 hotspots or containment zones, the country’s Ministry of Home Affairs said on Friday in its announcement of the move.
Which shops are now allowed to open in India?
Urban areas:
- In towns and cities, says the Ministry of Home Affairs, "neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes” can now open for business.
- However, this does not include shops in large market places and in single or multi-brand malls. They must remain closed until at least 3 May.
Rural areas:
- In rural areas, all shops except those in malls will be permitted to open.
Other restrictions
- Shops must operate with a staff body reduced by 50%, observe social-distancing measures, and wear face masks and gloves.
- The sale of alcohol remains prohibited.
- Sale by e-commerce is allowed for essential items only.
- Businesses such as restaurants, bars, hair salons, cinemas, theatres and gyms must stay closed.
#COVID19 update
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 24, 2020
All registered shops regd under Shops & Establishment Act of respective States/ UTs, including shops in residential complexes, neighborhood & standalone shops exempted from #lockdown restrictions.
Prohibited: Shops in single & multi brand malls pic.twitter.com/NNz9abgWdA
Nearly 25,000 coronavirus cases in India
At the time of writing, there had been 24,530 registered coronavirus cases in India, leading to 780 deaths. In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi imposed an initial two-week lockdown on the country’s population of 1.3 billion on 24 March, before extending that order until 3 May.
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