Gujarat set to reopen on Tuesday outside containment zones

GANDHINAGAR/AHMEDABAD: After nearly two months of strict lockdown, Gujarat will finally reopen outside of Covid-19 containment areas, albeit in a tentative manner, minding its even and odds.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani on Monday announced a series of relaxations across the state including major cities of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, allowing opening of shops and establishments, private offices and even salons and paan shops while also giving nod to plying of inter-state transport, rickshaws and cabs, conditions applied.
The CM made it clear that the Covid-19 pandemic is nowhere over and no relaxations can be given in containment zones which will be revised as per the recording of Covid-19 cases. "Except for essential services, no relaxation will be provided in containment zones of the state. Here, supply of milk, medicines, vegetables and groceries will be ensured from 8am to 3pm," said Rupani.
In non-containment zones, shops and establishments can remain open from 8am to 4pm. "All shops including retail stores, salons, barber shops and even shops selling cigarettes and paan can remain open. Shops will be allowed to operate on an odd-even number basis on alternate days," said Rupani, reiterating that 7pm to 7am will continue to remain curfew hours across the state.
"Only five people at a time can be allowed in a shop and maintaining social distance is mandatory. Even private offices can resume operations at 33% staff strength," said Rupani.
Gujarat streets which wore a virtually empty look would see buses, rickshaws and taxis and cabs plying. In Ahmedabad, which is worst affected with coronavirus, the government has decided to open up less affected west Ahmedabad while keeping the eastern parts under lockdown. No offices or shops even those outside containment zones will be allowed to resume in eastern side of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, given the spread of Covid-19 cases.
Wearing masks in public remains mandatory
The state government has also permitted operations of private and appbased cabs with driver and a maximum of two passengers in non-containment zones, except for in eastern part of Ahmedabad.
Except Ahmedabad and Surat, the plying of autorickshaws too has been allowed in the state, with a maximum of two passengers. The chief minister also permitted operation of public libraries at 60% capacity in the state.
Restaurants and eateries in cities have been given permission to operate, albeit for takeaways only whereas eateries outside city limits, falling along the highways may be allowed to serve food.
While religious gatherings have been barred, the state government has permitted the continuation of funeral rites with a maximum of 20 people and marriage ceremonies with a maximum of 50 people.
In a major relief to commuters, movement of private vehicles including that of twowheelers and four-wheelers has also been permitted. “Only driver will be allowed on a twowheeler while two passengers along with a driver would be allowed in a four-wheeler,” said Rupani.
The guidelines will come into force from Tuesday and remain applicable till May 31. The chief minister reiterated that wearing masks is mandatory in public places and spitting in public is prohibited and violation of either will attract fine worth Rs 200 for every offence.