Shahid Choudhary (DC Sgr)

Srinagar: The district administration Srinagar on Friday ordered the opening of all but some shops in the capital city on alternative days in a week from Saturday. 

As per an order issued by the deputy commissioner Srinagar Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chodhary, shops dealing with readymade garments, cloths, cosmetics, footwear, electronics, and electric material, jewelry, tailoring/ Designers/ Boutiques shall remain open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Similarly, shops and trader related to handicrafts, handloom, hardware, building material, furniture, furnishing, automobiles, services stations, Saloons/beauty parlours and barbers shall remain open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.   

However, bookshops, stationery, Chemists, Medical products, Grocery, Fruits, Vegetables, Milk and Milk products, Meat/Poultry, Farming products (Agri/Horti/Sericulture ete, repair workshops, e-Commerce and courier, Hotels/Restaurants (for home delivery and take-away only), bakery, and other essential products shall remain open from Monday to Saturday. However, all shopkeepers have to ensure adherence to SOP issued by the government as regards physical distancing, wearing masks and other allied things.   

The order has been issued by Deputy Commissioner in consonance with detailed guidelines issued by chairman State Executive Committees, headed by Chief Secretary, on June 7. Srinagar has been classified as Red Zone which requires strict adherence to norms and precautions notified from time to time, the order states.

“In view of multifarious dimensions involved, suggestions and recommendations were obtained from SKIMS Srinagar. Govt Medical College Srinagar, SKIMS Medical College Bemina and Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, and sector-specific SOPs have been devised taking into account such recommendations and standard protocols notified by the competent authority,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

It said detailed deliberations were held with all trade and business organizations and associations vis-à-vis notification of containment zones in the district and limited permissible activities therein, mandatory observance of SOPs particularly related to mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining physical distancing, hygiene and sanitization. The SOPs notified by the SEC are to be observed in letter and spirit, the order says. “(These) organizations undertook to ensure that all SOPs are observed for permissible 50% opening of shops in line with SEC notification (on June 7). (GNS)