Odd-even opening for shops in city, biz gets a breather

Odd-even opening for shops in city, biz gets a breather

Lockdown Now Extended Till May 31 In State

Koride.Mahesh@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 19.05.2020

The ongoing lockdown in Telangana has been extended till May 31 in line with the nationwide lockdown. While announcing this, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday opened the door for resumption of business and administrative activities and relaxed the lockdown guidelines across many sectors but in city all shops will be opened as per odd-even rule.

Fifty-six days after a total lockdown was imposed to stop the spread of novel coronavirus, the CM said all 33 districts of the state, including Greater Hyderabad, are now green zones. Most of the containment zones, which are in Hyderabad will however continue to have red-zone like restrictions. The move comes following a decision of the Centre empowering the states to draw up the list of zones. Telangana had earlier announced the lockdown till May 29.

The CM also announced that all shops can reopen to resume business activity and all government and private offices and institutions can function normally while adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. In Hyderabad, these relaxations will be implemented following the ‘odd-even’ system.

Stating that over 90% of active cases are in Greater Hyderabad, the CM said the municipal commissioner would soon decide on containment zones based on the number of positive cases.

Taxis, autos allowed in Hyd with restricted seating

He said 1,452 families in containment areas would continue to be in red zone with police protection. Supply of essentials would continue at their doorsteps.

The state-run RTC has been permitted to resume bus services across the state with exception of Hyderabad where no city buses will be allowed. However, taxis and autos will be allowed to operate in the city with restricted seating capacity in tune with Covid-19 guidelines.

KCR said: “RTC buses will resume from 6am on Tuesday. Metro and inter-state bus services will remain shut. RTC buses will be allowed till Jubilee Bus Station and not allowed to Imlibun Bus Station. The buses will have to reach destinations before 7pm except in special cases.” While taxis would be allowed to operate with a driver and three passengers, autos would ply with 1+2 configuration. The CM said all private vehicles and stage carriers will also be allowed. “Hair saloons and e-commerce will be allowed in all the districts, including Hyderabad,” he said.

As per Centre’s guidelines, night curfew would be enforced from 7pm to 7am. He said government cannot stop opening up of economic activity. “All government offices and private offices, except in containment areas, can function with 100% workforce. Industries can also run with full manpower,” the CM said. However, he said curbs on opening bars, clubs, educational institutions, religious places, congregations, function halls, shopping malls, cinema theatres, gyms and parks would continue till May 31.

Stressing on social distancing and sticking to lockdown norms, KCR said: “All shopkeepers, establishments, offices and industries have to provide hand sanitisers and take preventive measures such as physical distance. If anybody found not wearing masks, ₹1,000 penalty will be imposed.”

Since the Centre has given relaxations and some states have opened up economic and business activities, Telangana has also fallen in line, he said. “Since it is a dangerous virus, the state government is fully geared up to continue in its fight. As many as 17,000 beds are ready. If the situation worsens, we will review it and go back to imposing restrictions on some activities,” he added.