Lockdown 2.0: Centre Revises Norms On Opening Of Shops

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Union Home Ministry on Saturday issued fresh guidelines on the reopening of shops during the lockdown.

As per the revised guidelines:

—In rural areas, all shops, except those in shopping malls, are allowed to open.

—In urban areas, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and those in residential complexes are allowed to open. However, shops in markets/market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open.

—However, these shops will not be permitted to open in areas, whether rural or urban, which are declared as containment zones.

—The e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted to deliver only essential goods.

—Sale of liquor and tobacco items continue to be prohibited.

With regard to the order of the Home Ministry, police commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi, in a tweet has told the people to wait for the decision of the Odisha government which will be based on the consideration of local situation and requirements. He said as directed by the state government, the shops, except for those already exempted, will remain closed.