The Ministry of Home Affairs has released new guidelines as a clarification to earlier notification that was released Saturday morning. The notification involved guidelines about the opening of shops in non-containment zones.
The notification and the clarification
Giving relaxation in the category of Commercial and private establishments, MHA has issued an order to all States/UTs, to allow the opening of all shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of respective States/ UTs. This includes shops in residential complexes, neighborhoods, and standalone shops.
The tweets from MHA read:
“Clarification: In rural areas, ALL shops, except those in shopping malls allowed to open. In urban areas, all standalone/neighborhood shops & shops in residential complexes are allowed to open. Shops in markets/market complexes & shopping malls are not allowed to open.”
“Sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for ESSENTIAL GOODS ONLY. Sale of liquor & other items continues to be PROHIBITED as specified in the National Directives for #COVID19 management. NO SHOPS to be permitted to open in hotspots/containment zones.“
While shops in market complexes that come under the limits of municipalities can open, the ones in malls and other singular establishments will have to wait for more time.
The sale of Liquor
However, as specified in the National Directive for COVID-19 management, the sale of liquor and tobacco will continue to remain prohibited. As specified in the consolidated revised guidelines, these shops will not be permitted to open in areas, whether rural or urban, which are declared as containment zones by respective States/ UTs.
Hence, the Central Government’s stance has not changed regarding the sale of liquor and tobacco. A senior official said: “The matter had come for discussion in the first week of April, but the government has decided not to allow liquor sale as of now to avoid a backlash. It is true that the government has received representations from liquor and alcohol manufacturers and also from the wine shop owners in this regard.’’Â
Source: Free Press Journal
