Shops, markets open outside COVID-19 red zone in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, May 4 () Barring six major cities and asmany municipalities, shops, markets and other commercial andindustrial establishments in Gujarat opened on Monday as perspecific relaxations in coronavirus-induced lockdown announcedby the Centre as well as the state government.

While the third phase of the national lockdown imposedto contain the coronavirus spread began on Monday, the stategovernment had on Sunday issued guidelines about lockdownrelaxations in different zones - red, orange and green -marked on the basis of severity of the COVID-19 situation.

After remaining indoors for about 40 days, people indifferent parts of the state came out in large numbers forshopping in markets or to resume their work, bringing asemblance of normalcy outside the coronavirus hotspots.

People thronged local markets (standalone shops) incities and towns like Jamnagar, Junagadh, Mehsana, Dwarka andRajpipla, where they have been permitted to remain open forlimited hours during the day.

Several industrial units have also resumed theiroperations after relaxations were announced.

On Sunday, the state government had clarified thatrelaxations in curbs will not apply to six cities - Ahmedabad,Surat, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar and Rajkot - whichaccount for most of the COVID-19 cases in Gujarat.

Moreover, areas falling under six municipalities -Botad, Bopal, Khambhat, Bareja, Umreth and Godhra - are alsonot entitled to get relaxations for having high coronaviruscases.

These six major cities and as many municipalities fallunder red zone (reporting high number of COVID-19 cases).

The state government had also clarified that paanshops and liquor outlets are not covered by relaxations.

In Junagadh town, a green zone, hardware shops,garages, footwear and garment stores, which were shut sinceMarch 25, opened on Monday.

"Shops selling essential items like milk are allowedto remain open between 8 am and 12 pm. Then, between 12 pm and5 pm, other shops will remain open.

"However, schools, malls and paan shops have not beengiven any permission to resume operations yet," said Junagadhcollector Saurabh Pardhi.

Laundry shops, sweet-selling outlets, hair cuttingsalons and jewellery stores were also given permission tooperate during the day in towns falling under orange and greenzones, said officials. PJT PDRSY RSY