As the nationwide lockdown completes an entire month today, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been pondering on ways to get the country’s economy going & making things easier for the people. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, April 24, released a statement announcing that the shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of respective states and union territories (UTs) can stay open.
The announcement said, “all shops, including neighborhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT” are allowed to open during the lockdown.
However, the relaxation will not be provided to shops situated in hotspots or containment zones. Furthermore, the shops are allowed to remain functional, with only 50% of the employees & wearing masks being a compulsion.
The Ministry of Home Affairs further stated that social distancing should be strictly followed in the shops that will be allowed to open.
Previously, the ministry even allowed IT-enabled services firms to get back into business with 50% of employees, starting April 20.
“These limited exemptions will be operationalized by states/UTs/district administrations based on strict compliance with existing guidelines. Also, before allowing these select additional activities, states/UTs/district administrations shall ensure that all preparatory arrangements with regard to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for social distancing in offices, workplaces, factories, and establishments, as also other sectoral requirements are in place,” Union home ministry said in a circular.