States allow economic activities to resume, but with caveats

New Delhi | Mumbai | Bengaluru: Several states have resumed public transport with social distancing norms and permitted markets and street hawkers with an odd-even rule. Industrial activity, government-owned liquor shops, restaurants for takeaways and sports complexes too reopened, easing the lockdown as the fourth phase began on Monday.

States came up with their own zones. Rajasthan listed 138 panchayat samitis in red. West Bengal has A, B and C zones, where A meant places without relaxations, B buffer zones with limited relaxations and C ‘clean zones’ where all activities are allowed from May 21. Gujarat identified urban centres in Ahmedabad and Surat into geographically separated containment and non-containment zones.

Delhi, West Bengal and Punjab allowed buses with a maximum of 20 passengers, while Karnataka will permit 30 passengers and non-A/C public and private buses from Tuesday, apart from autos and cabs including app-based hailing services. All market places in Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat will follow an odd-even rule. Shop numbers would serve as the indicator which would open on what day. West Bengal will open hawker-driven wholesale markets like Gariahaat after May 27. Each hawker would be given a pass to operate.

No state has allowed malls, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, theatres, entertainment parks, assembly halls, bars and auditorium to reopen. Barring Delhi, all states have opened hairdressing salons. Sports complexes and stadia will open without spectators in Delhi. CM Arvind Kejriwal said “no labourers from outside will be allowed. Social distancing norms would be followed at industrial estates and construction sites.” Most states have not allowed hotels to operate, West Bengal will permit lodging. No cafes and restaurants will open in the state.

Kerala has allowed government-owned liquor shops to make online sale and home delivery of alcohol. Restaurants will continue to sell takeaways. Chhattisgarh has decided to follow a five-day week but will impose Section 144 from 4 pm. Punjab shops will be open from 7 am to 6 pm. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa said jewelry shops, salons, spa, sports complexes, stadium and street side vendors can do business. The state will allow railways to operate trains within the state. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said restrictions in the red zone will continue. “We are bringing in some measures of relaxation in the green zone but we cannot afford to do the same for the red zone…if the infection spreads we may be forced for a bigger lockdown…I will suffer criticism for the state,” he said.