Markets in unconfined areas of urban Haryana may open up, state said (File)
Chandigarh:
The Haryana government has withdrawn an order to close markets in the state’s urban non-containment zones on Mondays and Tuesdays. The reversal of the order, which was only released on Friday, comes after the center revealed 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 lockdowns outside containment areas without prior consultation with the center.
“As part of Unlock4, the central government said that the state government would not impose any local lockdowns (outside of containment areas). Thus, the Haryana government withdrew the order issued on August 29 from keep the markets closed Monday and Tuesday, “said Interior Minister Anil Vij. tweeted on Sunday.
Haryana, which has so far reported nearly 62,000 cases of Covid (of which 670 are virus-related deaths and around 10,600 are active infections), had ordered the closure of shopping malls and markets in urban areas (including those outside containment zones) on Mondays and Tuesdays.
“… to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Haryana, malls and stores, except those dealing with essential goods and services, will remain closed Monday and Tuesday in marketplaces in urban areas of the ‘State,’ the ordinance issued Friday had said.
These stores had previously been ordered to close on weekends. The ordinance, however, did not apply to stores selling essential goods and supplies.
A week earlier, the state had said all stores and offices, except those dealing with essential goods, supplies and services, would be closed on weekends.
Latest iteration of the centre’s ‘Unlock’ guidelines comes as India faces worrying increase in Covid cases; more than 78,000 new cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, according to government data, totaling 35 lakh.
This is the fourth day in a row that more than 75,000 new infections are reported and the eighth day in a row with more than 60,000 new cases.
The “Unlock4” directives, which will be in effect until September 30, include the reopening of metro services and authorizing social, political, academic, sports, religious and other functions with a maximum of 100 people in attendance.
Schools, colleges, swimming pools and indoor theaters will remain closed.
With the contribution of PTI
