Bisma Bhat
‘Guidelines to be issued soon’
Srinagar: Following the new order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the authorities in Kashmir have decided to allow opening of standalone shops in all the districts of the valley except ones falling in and around red zones.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole told The Kashmir Monitor that they will issue detailed guidelines about it by tomorrow.
He, however, confirmed that all shops, except those in shopping complexes or malls, will be allowed to open in places that do not fall in and around red zones both in rural or urban areas.
“All standalone shops (one-shutter shops) will be allowed to open in areas which do not fall in Red Zones across Kashmir. We will issue detailed guidelines on it by tomorrow,” he said.
The government has identified at least 90 red/containment zones in Jammu and Kashmir.
Seventy six of these zones fall in Kashmir.
In Srinagar for instance, 19 epicentres have been identified and the administration, earlier this week, has barred all non-essential activity within 3 km radius of these areas.
They include: Ahmad Nagar, Nowshehra, Lal Bazar, Hawal, Eidgah, Goripora, Watal Kadal, Chattabal, Khayam, Bemina Iqbal Abad/Bakshi Abad, Bemina Housing Colony Sector ‘C’, Bemina MIG Colony, Bemina Mansoor Colony/Boatman Colony, Tengpora Batamaloo, Hyderpora, Lasjan Soiteng, Natipora, Jawahar Nagar, Brein Nishat.
The moves comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday night allowed opening of neighbourhood and standalone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas, but at a 50 per cent strength and after taking necessary precautions.
A fresh order by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla made it clear that shops in marketplaces, multi-brand and single-brand malls located in municipality areas shall continue to remain closed till May 3.
Amending its April 15 order, the Union Home Ministry said “all shops, including neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT” will be allowed to open during the lockdown.
The shops will mandatorily have 50 per cent strength of workers wearing of masks and following social distancing. Opening of neighbourhood shops is being seen as a relief to people who have been under lockdown since March 24 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.
The Home Ministry order comes on the eve of Muslim holy month Ramzan.
The ministry also said shops located in registered markets located outside the municipal corporations and municipalities can open after following the drill of social distancing and wearing of masks but with 50 per cent of strength.
However, single and multi-brands shall continue to remain closed in these areas also.
“All shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/UT, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, with 50 per cent strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory” will be allowed to function.
However, the exemptions will not be given in hotspots and containment areas.
