by: Navjeevan Express

Lockdown 4.0: Gujarat allows shops, offices to open but no relaxation in COVID-19 Containment Zones

NE NEWS SERVICE

GANDHINAGAR, MAY 18

In a major relief to people affected due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the Gujarat government on Monday announced several relaxations, including the opening of markets and shops in non-containment zones, from Tuesday.

While there will be no relaxations in containment zones, shops and offices in the non-containment zone can remain open between 8 am and 4 pm, said Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

https://twitter.com/DDNewsGujarati/status/1262404812689170432?s=20

However, such business and commercial establishments need to follow the odd-even formula, wherein only 50 percent of establishments can remain open on any given day. Moreover, the government has also allowed reopening of barbershops and salons in non-containment zones besides shops selling paan masala.

Restaurant and eateries can remain open for takeaway orders only, Rupani said. He also announced resumption of bus and autorickshaw service across the state, barring a few places.

The above guidelines will be in effect from Tuesday, May 19 to Sunday, May 31, 2020.

For containment zones:

  • Only essential items and services will be permitted for containment zones.
  • Shops supplying these items and services shall be operational from 8 am to 3 pm.
  • Containment zones to be decided based on the number of COVID-19 cases.

For non-containment zones:

  • Rickshaw services, with not more than 2 passengers, to resume except for Ahmedabad and Surat.
  • Shops can be open from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Market area, shopping complexes to resume based on the odd-even formula of their shop numbers. Shops with numbers as 1, 3, 5, 7 etc to remain operational on one day and shops with numbers like 2, 4, 6, etc to remain operational on the other day.
  • Only 5 persons to be allowed in a shop at a given point in time.
  • People residing in containment zones (be it government employees, shopowners, labourers, etc) are prohibited to travel outside their area.
  • Economic activities to resume in the Western part of Ahmedabad.
  • No relaxations have been granted for Eastern Ahmedabad.
  • ST buses to resume in Gujarat except for the city of Ahmedabad.
  • Only 50 people to be allowed for marriage ceremonies.
  • Only 20 people to be permitted for cremation and its related rituals.
  • Paan shops to resume outside containment zones. However, they shall only provide take away orders.
  • Hair salon, beauty parlours, barbershops to resume under safety protocols.
  • Public libraries to reopen with 60% capacity.
  • Private cars, cabs, taxis to resume with not more than 2 passengers (+1 driver) per cab. However, this does not apply to Eastern Ahmedabad.
  • Restaurants to provide home deliveries only provided their staff has a health card issued by the authorities.
  • Dhabas outside city limits to resume.
  • Private offices with 33% staff to resume except for East Ahmedabad.
  • Repair shops, service stations, garages, etc shall resume.
  • Private cars and two-wheelers are permitted. Only one person in a two-wheeler and not more than 2 people ( +1 driver) in four-wheelers.
  • Textile markets to resume in Surat based on the odd-even formula.
  • Diamond units, weaving units, and powerlooms to resume with 50% of staff and adequate safety measures.
  • Vehicles with goods are permitted to travel across the state.
  • People found spitting in public will be fined Rs.200. Those without a mask in public spaces will be fined Rs. 200.
  • N-95, triple-layer masks will be available at Amul parlours for ₹65 and ₹ 5 respectively.

General Guidelines:

  • College/Schools, coaching class, malls, theatres, temples, gardens, etc to remain closed across the state.
  • Vegetable vendors and those associated with essential services have been permitted at the moment. Other vendors, city bus services, and private bus services remain closed.
  • Hotels, except those used for purposes related to COVID-19, shall remain closed.
  • Curfew to be implemented from 7 pm to 7 am based on MHA guidelines.

16 lakh NFSA cardholders received free foodgrains: Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to the Chief  Minister, on Monday said that the free foodgrains to 16 lakh people holding NFSA cards, whose card number ends with the last digit as two, in the state can take their ration stock from the government-approved ration shops on the second day of the distribution by Monday. However, among the NFAS cardholders, those who are residing in Ahmedabad city are not included, he added.

https://twitter.com/DDNewsGujarati/status/1262362290243825664?s=20

This free foodgrains quota to be distributed to each cardholder by the Gujarat government for May included 10 kg wheat, 3 kg rice, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg pulses, in total 15 kg. While under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna, each cardholder will be given 3.5 kg wheat and 1.5 kg rice. Thus, in total 20 kg of foodgrains would be given to each cardholder, the Secretary added.

Kumar said that as per the guidelines of Chief Minister  Vijaybhai Rupani, the distribution of free foodgrains for the APL1 cardholders residing in Ahmedabad city has been started on Monday.