With demand from people and traders in all states across the country, the Union Home Ministry in a late-night order on Friday made a key decision. It said it would allow all the stores to continue their services nationwide. However, the condition is that only shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act/UT’S, shops under residential complexes will be opened and should operate with 50% of its staff until lockdown. Also the governments of the states and the Union Territories must have the permission of the government before implementation.
For instance, Telangana government has imposed a complete lockdown till May 7 and the decision to open the shops will be given by the state CM. The Center Rule does not apply in Telangana because of the decision made by CM KCR to extend the lockdown unlike other states. On the contrary if AP government has given the green signal to open all the shops, the state government should however wait for the conditions imposed by central government as AP is under Central govt directives.
Although shops have been permitted, MHA ordered that shopping malls have not got the nod from the government yet and are ordered to remain closed until the lockdown.
Another condition is that in any state where there are hot spots and containment zones, shops cannot be opened. So far, the governments of the respective states have conditioned that only grocery stores and pharmacy shops should operate. Now all kinds of shops can be opened under aforementioned conditions. Also, there must be a permission from the state governments of the respective State.
Market complexes are permitted, except those within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, the order reads.