Jamshedpur, July 17: With the state government continuing with the lockdown directive till further notice, as part of the Health Safety Week, shops and malls in Jamshedpur and other parts of the state will continue to down shutters on Sunday. However, only those selling milks and breads can sell it for a certain period of time.
Significantly, shops, malls and other establishment remain opened till 8 pm on Saturday. Only medicine shops, health clinics and warehouses can be opened on Sunday.
However, those going for company and essential services can go for their duty. Police will be manning the important roundabouts and those coming out on roads need to give explanation to the authorities for the reason for going out.
“Some experts have opined that Third wave of Covid -19 can strike by end of July or August and the government does not want to take the risk by opening schools or easing further restrictions at the moment. We will be taking the decision on further relaxation especially, allowing shops to open for few hours on Sundays, may be next week depending on the Covid case load and other factors,” said state health and disaster management minister Banna Gupta.
Meanwhile, checkpoints put up near major roundabouts in Jamshedpur, especially at Sakchi roundabout, near Baug-E-Jamshed, along Straight Mile Road near Keenan Stadium and near Station Road near Tatanagar Station have been removed.
The checkpoints had been put up since the lockdown restrictions came into effect on April 22 in order to check e-passes of vehicles, ensure that passengers inside vehicles are wearing masks etc. However, with the relaxation in lockdown till 8 pm, the checkpoints have been removed and only traffic police will be doing regular helmet checking and mask checking drive on the important thoroughfares of the city.
The government has allowed opening of stadiums, gymnasiums and parks from July 1. There will be prohibition on gathering of more than 50 persons at one place.
The inter-district bus services has also been allowed from July 1, though prohibition will continue on plying of inter-state buses. Entrance examinations allowed by Union government can be held however exams to be held by state government will continue to be postponed.
There will be no requirement of e-passes for plying between one district to another in the state.
E-passes will remain mandatory for inter-state movement in private vehicles but for movement within a district, no e-passes will be required. Religious places will remain closed and so will be the educational institutions.
“We have taken the decision to extend the Health Safety Week for another week as we are not out of danger and there is a possibility of a third wave,” Chief Minister Hemant Soren said.
In June, some relaxations were announced, including the opening of shopping malls and departmental stores till 4 pm.
On June 24, the state government had extended the lockdown till July 1 with some relaxations, including opening of shopping malls and departmental stores till 4 PM. Earlier, only shops were allowed to operate till 4 PM and not the shopping malls and departmental stores. The state went into lockdown on April last week due to spurt in Covid pandemic.
During the weekend lockdown from Saturday 8 pm, companies and factories and even warehouses will remain operational. There will be no restriction on movement of people too. However, during weekend lockdown milk shops can function along with fuel retail outlets and warehouses.