Centre adds clarification: All rural shops except malls allowed; E-commerce still limited

Amid reports about reopening of shops and n-essential services from Saturday, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a clarification that all shops in rural areas except shopping malls will be opened. In its clarification, it has also said that markets and market complexes, shopping malls in urban areas are t allowed to open. It has added that e-commerce companies are only allowed for essential goods and  sale of liquor is prohibited. 

READ | COVID-19: 9.45 lakh under surveillance; recovery rate at 20.57%, says Centre

Here is clarification

READ | Modi govt anunces reopening of shops, n-essential services; here's what's allowed

MHA anunces reopening of shops 

Anuncing a massive decision,  Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday night allowed all shops under Shops and Establishment Act to reopen from April 25 amid Coronavirus pandemic. This includes shops in residential complexes and market complexes. However, order states that shops will function at 50 per cent strength and precautions against COVID-19 — wearing masks and social distancing — is mandatory. 

Home Ministry has clarified that relaxation in given order is t applicable in hotspots and containment zones. It has also prohibited reopening of shops in multi-brand and single-brand malls. order is an amendment to Centre's April 15 order issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended nationwide lockdown due to Coronavirus pandemic till May 3.

READ |  Coronavirus Live Updates

What will be open after this order?

• All shops registered under Shops and Establishment Act of respective State/Union Territory
• Shops in residential complexes within limits of municipal corporations and municipalities
• Neighbourhood shops within limits of municipal corporations and municipalities
• Standalone shops within limits of municipal corporations and municipalities
• All markets in rural areas, except shopping malls
• All n-essential goods and services in urban areas provided y are within limits of municipal corporations and municipalities
• In urban areas, all standalone/neighbourhood shops & shops in residential complexes are allowed to open.

  What will t be open after this order?

• Liquor shops
• In urban areas, shops in markets/market complexes & shopping malls are t allowed to open.
• Market complexes, outside  limits of municipal corporations and municipalities
• Multi-brand and single-brand malls
• Shops in  hotspots and containment zones, except essentials