Coronavirus lockdown: Shops selling electric fans, mobile phone recharge to be open in new set of exemptions

In a new set of exemptions released on Tuesday, the government said it has allowed additional agricultural and forestry items and opening of shops selling school and college books, electric fans during coronavirus lockdown, which ends on May 3  

New Delhi: The Union home ministry allowed shops selling school books to remain open during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown. The ministry also allowed shops selling public utilities including recharge facilities for prepaid mobile phones and those selling services of bedside attendants for senior citizens during lockdown.

The home ministry also said bread factories and flour mills located in urban areas can restart operations during the ongoing lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In separate orders, the home ministry said the decision has been taken after receiving some queries with regard to exemptions of specific services and activities allowed through the guidelines issued so far.

Educational book stores to be allowed to operate in lockdown:

Shops selling educational books, electric fans will be allowed to remain open during the lockdown, which is scheduled to end on May 3.

Bedside attendants and caregivers of senior citizens residing in their homes and public utilities including recharge facilities for prepaid mobile connection will be allowed to offer services, the ministry said in its order.

Food processing units such as bread factories, milk processing plants, flour mills, dal mills, etc, located in urban areas, will be allowed to function during the lockdown.

However, the ministry made it clear that social distancing for offices, workshops, factories and establishments must be ensured.