Guj: No relaxations in six cities during lockdown

Ahmedabad, May 3 () Deviating from the Centre'sorder granting certain relaxations in 'Red' zones during thethird phase of the coronavirus-induced lockdown beginning onMonday, the Gujarat government has decided against giving anyrelief in six cities and as many municipalities due to highnumber of cases.

A senior official said on Sunday that Chief MinisterVijay Rupani had decided against granting any relief in themunicipal limits of Ahmemdabad, Surat, Vadodara, Gandhinagarand Bhavnagar--all in 'Red' zone, and Rajkot municipalcorporation which falls under 'Orange' zone.

"No relaxation will be allowed in the lockdown rulesfor another two weeks in municipal corporations of Ahmemdabad,Surat, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, and Bhavnagar, as well as sixmunicipalities of Botad, Bopal, Khabhnat, Bareja, Godhra andUmreth which are under red zone (as per the Centre'snotification).

"No relaxation will be allowed in Rajkot municipalcorporation as well, which is under orange zone. This wasdecided by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at a high-level meetingheld on Saturday," said Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to ChiefMinister, in a press briefing via video conferencing.

As on Saturday, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat togetheraccounted for over 4,500 of the total 5,054 COVID-19 cases inGujarat.

Though the Centre has allowed standalone shops andprivate offices (with 33 per cent staff) to remain open in'Red' zones outside containment areas, the state governmenthas decided against such relaxation within the limits of theabove six municipal corporations and as many municipalities.

"Except the shops selling essential items, no shopswill be allowed to remain open in the above-mentioned areas.No offices will also be allowed to remain open," Kumar said.

No paan shops selling cigarettes, paan masala, gutkha,or permit liquor shops will be allowed to operate in any partof the state irrespective of the zones during the lockdownperiod, he said.

The state government has, however ,allowed industriesto resume operations in rural areas, two municipalcorporations and 156 municipalities on the condition ofadhering to social distancing norms, Kumar added.

The government has allowed opening of salons, beautyparlours and tea shops in 'Orange' and 'Green' zones, theofficial said.

Taxis and cab services are also allowed in these zoneson the condition that only two passengers, besides driver, cantravel.

Kumar further said the government had decided torestrict people from coming out of their houses between 7 pmand 7 am in the areas placed under the strict lockdown.

State transport buses have been allowed to operate ingreen zones with 50 per cent capacity, Kumar said.

"Drivers and conductors will face action if they ferrymore than 30 passengers in one bus," he said.

Relaxation has been given to industries to operate inrural areas as well as municipal corporations of Junagadh andJamnagar.

"They will have to operate in a staggered manner, andhave to screen workers and maintain social distancing norms,"he added.

Kumar also said that permissions and passes will notbe required to be renewed for the third phase of the lockdown,which is slated to remain in force till May 17, as they willbe considered valid without the need to apply afresh. KAPDNSK NSK