Markets can be opened in urban non-containment zones in Haryana, state said (Archive)
Chandigarh:
The Haryana government has withdrawn an order to close markets in non-containment zones of urban areas in the state on Mondays and Tuesdays. The revocation of the order, which was only issued on Friday, comes after the center unveiled guidelines for “Unlock4,” the fourth phase of easing national coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Under the new guidelines, state governments have been instructed not to impose localized closures outside containment zones without first consulting with the center.
“Under Unblocking4, the central government has said that the state government will not impose any local blockades (outside of containment zones). Therefore, the Haryana government has withdrawn the order issued on August 29 to keep markets closed. Monday and Tuesday, “said state Interior Minister Anil Vij. tweeted on Sunday.
Haryana, which has reported nearly 62,000 Covid cases so far (of which 670 are virus-related deaths and about 10,600 are active infections), had mandated that shopping malls and markets in urban areas (including those outside of areas containment) will close on Mondays and Tuesdays
“… to contain a further spread of COVID-19 in Haryana, shopping malls and stores, except those dealing with essential goods and services, will be closed on Monday and Tuesday in markets in urban areas of the state.” , the order issued on Friday had said.
These stores had previously been ordered to close for the weekend. However, the order did not apply to stores that sold essential products and supplies.
A week earlier, the state said all stores and offices except those dealing with essential goods, supplies and services would be closed on weekends.
The latest version of the center’s “Unblock” guidelines comes as India faces a worrying spike in Covid cases; More than 78,000 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to government data, taking the total of 35 lakh.
This is the fourth consecutive day that more than 75,000 new infections have been reported and the eighth consecutive day with more than 60,000 new cases.
The “Unlock4” guidelines, which will be in effect until September 30, include the reopening of metro services and allow social, political, academic, sports, religious and other functions with a maximum of 100 attendees.
Schools, universities, swimming pools and covered theaters will be closed.
With input from PTI
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