Chandigarh administration may allow more relaxations
Chandigarh, June 7
In the wake of the dip in Covid cases, UT residents are likely to get a major relief in restrictions after more than a month. Sources said the UT Administration was considering extending the timings of the shops by two hours. At present, the shops are allowed to open from 9 am to 4 pm only.
The Administration could also reduce the night curfew hours, which is currently being imposed from 6 pm to 5 am on weekdays.
On the pattern of the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab, limited number of shops could be allowed to open in shopping malls in the city and the authorities are mulling lifting the weekend curfew.
The sources said the Administration could also allow dine-in at restaurants and hotels with 50 per cent seating capacity and the number of persons attending a marriage function or a funeral could also be increased. At present, only 20 persons are allowed to attend a marriage function and 10 persons a funeral. However, the final decision on providing the relaxations will be taken in a review meeting to be presided over by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore tomorrow.
In a letter to the UT Administrator, Vyapar Sadan president Arvind Jain suggested that if the Administration was considering changing the timings of the shops, they should be allowed to operate from 11 am to 7 pm.
“Jewellery stores need an hour or more to set up the shop and the same to pack up as we have to verify the stock position. Night curfew could be imposed from 7.30 pm to 5.30 am,” he said. He said the lockdown could be considered for Sunday and Monday instead of Saturday and Sunday. — TNS
