MHA clarifies on its earlier order to keep shops open except shops in malls and shops in non-hotspot areas.
Mumbai: The Ministry Home Affairs (MHA) from their Twitter handle @PIBHomeAffairs on Saturday clarified that all shops in rural areas except those in shopping malls, are allowed to open. The Home Ministry’s order is a huge respite to the people in rural India. The opening of shops nearby is a great sigh of relief for people however, the order continues asking the shopkeepers and staff to wear mask and maintain social distancing.
Since lockdown from March 24, the Ministry of Home Affairs had ordered to closing down of all shops except those providing essential services across the country. The government of India had taken the stringent step to curb the spread of novel coronavirus.
The order from Home Ministry came on the eve of Islamic Holy month Ramzan.
In Urban India, all the standalone and neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open. Shops in markets, market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open. Home Ministry in its clarification, further said, sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only. Sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the National Directives for COVID-19 management. Meanwhile, no shops will be permitted to open in hotspots and containment zones.
Home Ministry allows opening of shops in rural India!
