Coronavirus: MHA issues issues fresh guidelines, allows book stores and recharge shops to resume operations

The Union Home Ministry has issued fresh guidelines allowing school book shops and recharge stores to operate amid the coronavirus lockdown. The home ministry also said bread factories and flour mills located in urban areas can restart their operations. 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. 

Shops of educational books for students, shops of electric fans will be allowed to open during the lockdown, which is scheduled to end on May 3.Bedside attendants and care givers 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. The lockdown was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 in a bid to combat the coronavirus pandemic. It was later extended till May 3.