Odisha Lockdown 2: Shops To Remain Open For Four Hours Only

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday revised the timing for commercial establishments during the second-phase of state-wide lockdown from Wednesday.

During the first phase of the lockdown, the government had allowed comercial establishments for six hours from 6 am to 12 noon from Monday to Friday. This pertained to ration shops (under PDS) and neighbourhood/roadside shops, dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal feed and fodder, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides including their transportation, warehousing and related activities.

However, considering large congregation of the people, the government has now revised the guidelines by permitting these shops to operate between 7 am to 11 am with strict adherence to COVID safety protocols.

The district collectors and municipal commissioners shall make all efforts to disperse vegetable vendors in such a manner that no person is required to travel more than 0.5 km for purchase of vegetables. Any violation of COVID-19 protocols will attract closure/sealing/cancellation of license of the shops concerned.

However, weekly and daily haats shall be prohibited.