Following several amendments made in the consolidated revised guidelines on lockdown measures to allow opening of shops, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday issued a clarification saying that only standalone shops are allowed to open as per the directive and that the order does not apply to COVID-19 containment zones or liquor stores.
“In urban areas, all standalone/neighbourhood shops & shops in residential complexes are allowed to open. Shops in markets/market complexes & shopping malls are not allowed to open,” MHA clarified.
The Home ministry also clarified that: “Sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only,” the ministry said. It also cleared that liquor stores will be shut as the relaxations do not apply to them. “Sale of liquor & other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the National Directives for COVID19 management,” it added.
Limited commercial activities in state
In continuation of the earlier orders and in pursuance to Home Ministry orders– dated April 15 and 24, Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Toy Saturday issued another order permitting several commercial activities with immediate effect.
1. Shops for Truck repairs along the highways with stipulated minimum distancing.
2. All shops, including those in residential and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls, outside the limits of municipalities and town councils, with 50% strength of workers wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory.
3. All shops, including neighborhood shops and stand alone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipalities and town councils, except shops in market complexes and multi-brand and single brand malls, with 50% strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory.
4. Shops located in crowded areas which offer no scope for enforcing satisfactory social distancing like the Hongkong Market, New Market in Dimapur Town, BOC Market in Kohima etc. shall remain closed except those shops/outlets dealing with food grains, vegetables, food items, medicines and other essential items and goods.
Respective Deputy Commissioners may make assessment of such locations and issue suitable orders in this regard.
5. It is reiterated that Salons, dine-in restaurants, eateries and departmental stores shall continue to remain closed. However, home deliveries from dine-in restaurants, food outlets and delivery of online orders of essential commodities shall be permitted.
6. The proprietors of the shops and establishments which are allowed to open will make arrangements for keeping hand sanitizers or provide facilities for hand washing with soap and water for the public as well as for their own staff/workers. The proprietors of the shops and establishments should also get the door handles, surfaces and other objects which are frequently touched by people regularly cleaned and disinfected.
However, as specified in the lock down measures, National COVID-19 Directives and Standard Operating Procedure, protocol for social distancing must be ensured.
