BMC Dispels Doubts Over Opening Of Shops In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Dispelling the doubts of traders in Bhubaneswar regarding the opening of shops and other business establishments, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a clarification on Thursday.

Briefing the media here, BMC commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary made it clear that shops dealing with all essential commodities shall remain open. He added that there is no restriction on shops under the ‘allowed’ category.

The neighbourhood shops, standalone shops and shops in residential complexes registered under the Odisha Shops and Establishments Act, 1956 can also be opened.

“The only prohibition is that if there are more than five shops in any market complex and shopping malls, those will remain closed. The shops that come under the prohibited category are all market complexes, multi-brand and single-brand malls, gymnasium, game parlour, saloons, spa, beauty parlour and massage centres. Besides, all shops including mobile shops selling betel, tea, coffee, fast food, fruit juice and tiffin will remain closed,” the BMC commissioner said.

He also said that the restaurants in the city will be allowed to sell takeaway food and will not make sitting and eating arrangements.

Apart from this, shops dealing with construction materials are allowed to open. It will be better if these shops transport the materials to other locations at night.

Regarding construction work, Chaudhary said that permission will be granted to resume operation if the labourers are housed at the construction sites. “However, construction companies are now allowed to hire labourers from outside Bhubaneswar,” he pointed out.

Referring to social-distancing norms, the BMC commissioner informed that under no circumstances, assembly of five customers near a shop will be allowed. The shop owners have been instructed not to allow any customer with flu-like symptoms.

Besides, all registered shops and business establishments under the ‘allowed’ category will remain open from 8 am to 6 pm daily with 50 per cent staff.

Chaudhury further said that permission will be given to any industry unit willing to open their unit.

He said since Bhubaneswar has been declared as a ‘red’ zone, the aforesaid restrictions will remain in force until further order.