Unlock 1: Administration allows Jamshedpur shops to remain open till 9 pm

SDO convenes meeting, gives fresh instructions on social distancing

Jamshedpur, June 7: In a fresh development, the district administration has allowed the shops and other commercial establishments to function till 9 pm starting from 5 am. There will be night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am. The administration has asked the police to file FIR any person found opening the shop beyond 9 pm. A group of shop keepers had filed a complaint with the district administration, seeking extension of timings for opening and closing of markets in the city.

The shopkeeper had said that the previous arrangement, according to which shops are allowed to stay open between 7am and 7pm, was not convenient in this weather. They have demanded that shops stay open till at least 9 pm.

A district official said that the traders said that by the time the temperature comes down and most people finish with work, the shops are already shut. For the past few days, the mercury has been hovering around 40 degrees Celsius mark.

Bharat Vasani, a senior functionary of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: � As per the feedback given by the traders nobody wants to suffer a heat stroke by stepping out. The administration has taken a right decision to allow markets to stay open till at least 9 pm.�

Meanwhile, a meeting on social distancing was presided over by Dhalbhum SDO Chandan Kumar on Saturday. He gave necessary guidelines regarding the operation of taxis, autos and other vehicles in the light of the instructions of the Transport Secretary.

During the meeting it was instructed that it will be mandatory for the taxi driver of a private vehicle to wear a mask. Spray sanitizer will have to be kept in private vehicle taxi and should be used regularly.

In a five-seater private vehicle taxi, only two passengers in addition to the driver and in a 6-7 seater taxi, only three passengers in addition to the driver will be able to travel. At the time of traveling, passengers will have to sit on both sides of the seat, following social distancing.

It will be mandatory for passengers to wear masks. Smoking, and consumption of tobacco will be prohibited by travellers during the journey. Passengers and drivers have been requested to install the Arogya Setu App on smart phones .

Kumar said that persons over 65 years of age, persons with other diseases, pregnant women and children below ten years of age are advised to stay home except for essential services and health purposes. District Transport Officer Dinesh Ranjan, Executive Officer Jugasalai Municipal Council Jagdish Yadav, CO Sadar Anurag Tiwari, Executive Magistrate Savita Topno, Chandradev Ram, President of Auto Union and others were present in the meeting.