As govt eases restrictions on shops, here’s what’s allowed to open and what is not

In a move to further ease the restrictions, the government has allowed standalone shops and those in neighbourhood and residential complexes to open from today.

However, restrictions will continue on shops in market places and single brand retail and multi brand retail shops.

The government has allowed the opening of these shops with certain conditions. The shops will function with only 50 per cent of its staff, strictly observing the social distancing rules and wearing of masks.

Here’s a list of what has been allowed to open up and what is not:

What is open:

1. In rural areas, all shops, except those in shopping malls are allowed to open.

2. In urban areas, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops & shops in residential complexes are allowed to open.

What remain prohibited:


1.Shops in markets/ market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open.

2. Sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the National Directives for COVID-19 management.

3. Sale by e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only.

The ministry, in its order, has made it clear that these relaxations pertaining to opening of shops will not be permitted in areas, whether rural or urban, which are declared as containment zones by respective States/ UTs.

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