A month after nationwide lockdown , the Centre has allowed all neighbourhood shops in the residential areas to open if they follow certain guidelines. However, shops in market places, multi-brand and single brand malls as well as market complexes will remain closed till May 3.

The Union ministry of home affairs on Friday said, "all shops, including neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT" are allowed to open during the lockdown.

The relaxations will not be applicable to coronavirus hotspots and containment zones. Shops are allowed to remain functional only with 50% of the staff. Wearing masks is mandatory for all. Union home ministry added that the social distancing must be strictly maintained.

Also read: Coronavirus lockdown: More shops allowed from today. What will open, what won't

"The shops in the markets or market complexes or shopping malls are not allowed to open," the ministry clarified today.

The ministry also added that sales by e-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart will continue to be restricted to essential goods only. "Sale by e-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only," the ministry said. The liquor stores will also remain shut. "Sale of liquor & other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the National Directives for COVID19 management," it said.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has climbed to 24,506. The death toll has increased to 775. India is under nationwide lockdown till May 3 to curb the spread of the virus which killed over 2 million worldwide. Earlier this week, the Centre eased few lockdown norms in least affected places.

Earlier, the ministry permitted information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services firms to function at 50 per cent strength beginning from April 20.

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