Srinagar: The administration of Srinagar has ordered the reopening of the shops in accordance with a roster devised by the administration. According to the order issued by DC, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Chowdhary, shops dealing with clothing, boutiques, designers, cosmetics, footwear, and electronics will remain open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Shops related to handicraft, handloom, automobiles, service station, furnishing, building material, salons and barbers will remain open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Similarly, bookshops, stationery, chemists, medical products, grocery, fruits, milk products, farming products, repair workshops, hotels/restaurants (only for home delivery), bakery and other essential dealers will remain open from Monday to Saturday.
However, shopkeepers have to adhere to the standard operating measures ( SOP) issued by the administration.
The suggestions for proper precautions have been taken from SKIMS Medical College Bemina, Government Medical College Srinagar, Directorate of Health services Kashmir and other sector specific SOPs have also been framed taking into consideration the protocols devised by competent institutes.
“Detailed deliberations were held with all the trade and business organizations and associations viz a viz notification of containment zones in the district and limited permissible activities therein, mandatory observance of SOPs particularly related to mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining physical distancing, hygiene and sanitization,” reads the order.
“The said organizations undertook to ensure that all SOPs are observed for permissible 50% opening of shops in line with SEC notification cited above. Therefore, in line with the permissible activities and opening of 50% shops provided in the SE notification, consultations held with stakeholders and readiness to observe SOPs and necessary steps for COVID-19 containment expressed by the trade and business organizations.”
According to the order, no business should be transacted in absence of guidelines related to mandatory wearing of masks and physical distancing. Every shop shall be properly sanitized before being made operational. Sanitizers/ Hand washes should be available at every establishment.
As per the advisory, shopping malls should vividly display the roster for 50% shops to be reopened in alternate days as prescribed in the SEC notification.
The order reads, “it is strongly advised for all the shopkeepers to download Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices. While all trade organizations have assured adherence to laid down norms and SOPs in the interest of public health, the executive Magistrates and SHOs shall ensure strict enforcement and initiate action in case of violations.”
“Market wise undertaking for this purpose shall be mandatory segregation of trades has been done for maintaining the prescribed 50% number of shops…”
The order read that night restrictions/curfew between 8 pm to 5 am as notified vide order dated 19.05.2020 shall continue to be in place and only essential services shall be allowed during the period.
As far as the public transport is considered, the order says that three wheelers with 02 passengers have been allowed under SEC guidelines. Further guidelines will be notified separately after ongoing capacity building for public transport stall. In order to be complaisant to the Hon ble high Court directions and SEC guidelines cited above No Parking shall be allowed except designated parking places.
The guidelines have been prescribed so as to ensure the safety and security of the public and to ensure that all possible measures are taken in order to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
“Any violation of these orders/SOPs/instructions notified by SEC O DDMA, shall attract action under section51 of the Disaster Management Act 2008. Section IPC and/or section 03 of Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 apart from other laws applicable.”
Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join.
