As the Central Government eased Covid-19 triggered restrictions across the country under unlock 1.0, the Chandigarh Administration on Monday issued fresh guidelines allowing more relaxations in the opening of shops, inter-state movement, functioning of government and private offices, among others. In line with Centre’s guidelines, the restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and religious places will also be permitted to re-open from June 8 onwards in the city.

A day after changing the night curfew timings from 9 pm to 5 am, the Administration has allowed the shops to open from 10 am to 8 pm. However, the shops selling essential items such as medicines, milk, bread, vegetables, fruits etc have been exempted from the time restriction.

The odd-even stipulations for shops in congested markets such as Sector 46 Rehri market, Sector 22 Shastri market, Sector 15 Patel Market, Sec 41 Krishna market, Sec 19 Sadar Bazar and Pallika Bazar, Sec 18 Gandhi market, Sec 27 Janta market and street vendors in sectors will remain in place.

The guidelines which came into effect with immediate effect in non-containment zone in the union territory of Chandigarh has also allowed opening of barber shops and hair salons from June 2 onwards. Such shop owners have been directed to strictly follow the standard operating procedure released by UT Health Department.

However, spa, massage centres, swimming pools will remain closed in the city till further orders.

The Administration has permitted the use of Community Centres for holding marriage functions with 50 persons and last rites rituals with 20 persons from June 8 onwards, stated the UT’s guidelines issued on Monday.

From now onwards, no mandatory pass will be required to enter the union territory from other states. However, random screening will be done on border and visitors will be advised self-monitoring for 14 days, the guidelines stated

Apart from this, the city residents desirous to take ‘travel pass’ for visiting other states can apply online to District Magistrate. Only persons outside containment zones will be issued such passes.

Manoj Parida, Adviser to UT Administrator said, “The UT Administration has adopted the guidelines of Central Government which will remain in force upto June 30. Restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and religious places will be allowed to re-open from June 8 onwards and would have to adhere to the standard operating procedure to be issued by Health Ministry.”

“For shops, a list will be issued indicating weekly holiday for each market in the city after holding consultation with the concerned market association,” he said.

On functioning of Government offices, the UT’s guidelines stated, “The Government offices will function from 10 am to 5:30 pm with 75 percent staff. However, the Head of Department can call 100 percent staff, if required from June 8 onwards., Defence and Security Services, Health and Family Welfare, Police, Prisons, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, Disaster Management and related services, NIC, Customs, FCI, NCC, NYK and Municipal services shall function without any restrictions.”

Also, the general public can meet the UT officers for personal grievance redressal etc between 11 am to 12 noon preferably with prior appointments. Central Government offices, offices of neighboring states, banks etc will have different office timings to avoid simultaneous travel by office –goers and congestion on roads, it stated.

As per the guidelines, the private offices will be allowed to call 75 percent of their staff. However from June 8 onwards, they will be free to call 100 percent of the staff if required. Both government and private offices and other enterprises will encourage employees to work from home and avoid travel.

Apni Mandis in the sectors will remain closed till further orders. However, the wholesale market in Sector 26 will continue to open and the temporary functioning of vegetables and fruits traders at ISBT-Sector 17 would also continue till further orders.

Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana has reported 294 positive cases of Covid-19 till Monday evening. Currently, Chandigarh has three containment zones including part of Sector 30 B, Bapu Dham colony in Sector 26 and Kacchi colony Dhanas, where no relaxations have been allowed except essential services.