Amid prevalent chaos and uncertainty over access to essential services and commodities during more than one-and-half month lockdown business activities started with permitted shops opening their shutters. The Jharkhand government based on Union Home Ministry guidelines on Monday permitted industrial units to resume operations, opening of retail liquor stores and books and hardware shops in non-containment zones in the fourth phase of the coronavirus lockdown.

The district administration has permitted these shops to restart their business operations with fresh guidelines such as maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks and with limited staff. At Upper Bazar city’s biggest commercial hub shops of sanitary ware, hardware, electrical goods and books were opened.

At Upper Bazaar though shops were opened but like normal days the presence of customers were thin as shopkeepers were looking that people were following social distancing. Shops of electrical goods were also opened.

Dushyant Kumar, owner of electrical goods at Upper Bazaar said, “We are following all the guidelines set by district administration. We are giving goods to only such customers who are wearing masks. Also we have kept sanitizers in shop.”  Like Upper Bazaar shops were also opened at Main Road. At Main Road the biggest footfall was at book stores. People were seen purchasing books and stationary items at book stores. 

Reema Prasad spotted at Pustak Path at Shahid Chowk said, “We have come to by books as these shops have opened today after 56 days. During lockdown schools are selling books but only they don’t have all the books.” Booksellers too were happy as they opened shops after one and half month.

Apart from book, hardware, sanitary ware and other shops, liquor shops were also opened but unlike other cite there were no long queues of people for buying

liquor. Sources said that less turnout of people at liquor shop was mainly due to Jharkhand government increasing the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on liquor to 75% across the state.

Cab, taxis and auto services also resumed but with restrictions. The cab operators or commercial vehicles have to get their vehicles booked from originating to final destination. They will not be allowed to pick passengers in middle of the route.

Also it is mandatory for drivers to wear masks and gloves. The driver has to sanitized the vehicles are regular intervals in a day.

The MHA guidelines also mention about number of passengers traveling cab or other commercial vehicles. In a five seat cab apart from driver two other passengers can travel , while in six-seven seats vehicles four persons including a driver can travel.