Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday said that all shops, except malls in Hyderabad, will be allowed to open from Thursday. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Rao.
Following the relaxation in lockdown norms on May 19, shops in Hyderabad were allowed to reopen on an odd-even basis.
Under the existing plan, two shops adjacent to each are not allowed to open on the same day. Officials said this is leading to more customers gathering at a single shop, adding that if both shops are allowed to remain open, the customers will split and avoid overcrowding.
"Since the permission to open alternative shops is in place, people are crowding the shops. So it is decided to permit all the shops, expect malls in Hyderabad, to reopen," said Rao. "Customers and shop owners are urged to follow the COVID-19 guidelines strictly."
Even as the state on Wednesday reported 107 new cases and six deaths, Rao said people should not be scared of the coronavirus as the spread is not on an alarming scale despite relaxations in lockdown. He, however, said people should be cautious and alert.
The state's tally of positive cases so far stands at 2,139 and its death toll at 63.
According to some estimates, Rao said positive cases may increase in the country in the next two to three months.
"But people should not entertain any fear or anxiety. The government is ready to provide treatment to any number of cases in the state. The required PPE kits, test kits, masks, beds, ventilators, hospitals are all ready," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office quoted him as saying.
(With inputs from agencies)
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