State Government to take final decision on opening of shops
Jamshedpur, April 25: Though the Union government on Friday night announced to allow opening of neighbourhood and stand alone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas but the East Singhbhum administration has said that the final decision over opening will be take only by the State Government. A meeting is expected to be held on Monday at Ranchi in this regard.
Following the news on Saturday several shops were opened in the city but the administration get them down their shutters again. � We have not received any notification over opening of shops so far.
A decision in this regard is expected to be taken by the State Government by Monday. We have to wait for the notification in this regard,� said a district official.
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 the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT” will be allowed to open during the lockdown.
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 muti-brands shall continue to remain closed in these areas also.
“We have been asked to follow the guidelines strictly. Relaxation is being given only on the cases of medical emergency and for those going for buying groceries as well as vegetables, milk etc during a stipulated period.� The administration is not going to give any further relaxation.�
Those who will move on the road beyond the cases of medical emergency or purchasing of grocery items or vegetables, they will have to show necessary pass otherwise the commuter will be prosecuted,” said the official.
The administration has formed teams at block-level and also in three civic bodies of Jamshedpur, Jugsalai and Mango for house-to-house search within three km radius area for Covid-19 positive cases but every sample tested has turned out to be negative.
� We are keeping an eye on those quarantine and also sending teams for identifying fresh suspected cases. There are several persons who have returned from abroad and have been quarantined. We want them to follow guidelines,� said another official.
The medical team is also distributing pamphlets on the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are being informed about quarantine measures for those showing symptoms such as cold, cough and fever.