Delhi to Implement Centre's Guidelines on Allowing Shops to Open amid Lockdown, Say Officials

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Saturday decided to implement the Centre's latest guidelines on opening of shops, officials said.

A Delhi government official said non-essential shops will be allowed to open, but not in coronavirus containment zones. "No activity will be allowed in containment zones," the official said.

There are 95 containment zones in the national capital.

Standalone shops and and shops in residential areas, including those selling mobile phones, garments and stationary items, will open with social-distancing strictly followed, the official added.

However, shops in market places and malls will continue to remain shut till May 3 as mentioned in the MHA guidelines.

In a late-night order on Friday, the MHA announced a new set of relaxations, allowing opening of neighbourhood and standalone shops, including those located in residential complexes. The order came as a big relief for small-scale traders and businessman after a month of the coronavirus lockdown.

The ministry, however, said the new relaxations will not apply to hotspots or containment zones in the country and social distancing norms have to be followed.

Asked if allowing additional shops to open was a prudent decision given that the coronavirus cases in the national capital crossed the 2,500-mark and more areas got added to the containment zones, sources said the Delhi government had to take this decision as people had started opening their establishments in several areas anyway after they heard about the latest MHA guidelines.

Asking them to down shutters resulted in a law and order situation in some areas, they said.

"The Delhi government did not have any option, but to implement the MHA's guidelines. However, no activity will be allowed in containment zones," a source said.

According to the MHA's guidelines, the shops will be functioning with 50% workforce and adhere strictly to precautions which include social distancing and wearing of masks. In rural areas, all shops, except those in single and multi-brand shopping malls, are allowed to open.

The MHA also said malls, liquor and cigarette shops, sale of non-essential items through e-commerce platforms continue to remain shut. Restaurants, hair salons and barber shops will not be allowed to open as these render services and do not fall under the shop category.

(With inputs from PTI)