In view of the clarification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding relaxations for opening of shops during lockdown period, the government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to strictly implement the directions in the state.
The state government has clarified that in rural areas, all shops except those in shopping malls will remain open. In urban areas, all stand-alone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls will remain open during the curfew relaxation time. However, the shops in markets or market complexes and shopping malls in urban areas will remain closed.
These shops will be allowed to open only with 50 percent strength of workers with strict adherence to wearing masks and maintaining proper social distancing norms. These relaxations pertain only to shops selling items not services.
A Spokesperson of the state government said that these relaxations will not be applicable in containment zones.
The sale of liquor and other specified items as per national directives for COVID-19 management will also remain closed. Moreover, shops rendering services like restaurants, salons and barber shops will also remain closed during the lockdown period.
