The administration in Udhampur district on Sunday relaxed restrictions to allow partial resumption of trade and business activity, while authorities in Jammu district allowed opening of readymade garments and footwear shops for sanitation after two months of the lockdown.
These relaxations were announced first time after March 25when the lockdown was announced in J&K like rest of the country, to containspread of coronavirus infection.
“Dear, Udhampurities,based on feedback and requirement, non-essential shops in Udhampur town arebeing opened from Monday as per roster. Expect all shall observe strict socialdistancing. Don’t give us chance to act tough. No pillion riders on motorcyclesallowed,” Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Piyush Singla tweeted.
In a separate order, the authorities allowed partialconditional relaxation on daily services in the district. “It is felt thatrelaxation be provided to various daily service, community producers, on rosterbases so that general public may get availability of basic necessities,” readsthe order issued allowing partial relaxation to non-essential shopkeepers.
The chemist shops, shops selling milk products, poultry,meat, agriculture input, animal feed and fodder have been allowed to remainopen throughout the week by the administration.
The grocery shops have also been allowed to remain open forfour days a week; utensil shops for two days a week, whereas mobile andcomputer shops have been permitted to open three days a week.
Similarly, shops dealingin sale and repair of electronic gadgets have been allowed to open three days aweek, vehicle repairing workshops, jewelry cloth and shoe shops and cement,hardware, and cosmetic shops can open two days a week.
The shopkeepers, retailers, and service providers have beendirected to work with 50 percent strength of the workers.
The shopkeepers will be responsible for maintaining socialdistance, wearing face mask, and no person above 60 years age will be engagedin sales, reads the order.
Meanwhile, Jammu administration allowed opening of readymadeand garment shops and shoe shops for maintenance, sanitization and cleaningpurpose from 11 am to 3 pm from today.
“Ourshops were closed from March 19. After two months, first time, we have openedshops to sanitize them,” said Presidents, Raghunath Bazaar Association. “Wewill seek permission for opening of shops on alternative days in Jammu and willensure social distancing,” he said.
He claimed the government should give them relaxation inelectricity bills, interests in bank loan, and GST since they were not incondition to clear the bills due to the lockdown.
He demanded the Government should announce financial packagefor small scale traders and businessmen to help them to resume their business.”It will take one year to resume normal business,” he said.