It's wait-&-watch on easing curbs as signal turns orange in Gurugram

Vishakha Chaman | TNN | Updated: May 2, 2020, 09:06 IST

Photo for representative purpose only

GURUGRAM: The city has moved, unexpectedly for its administrators, from the red to the orange zone, which makes it eligible for resumption of certain economic activities and services like autos and app-based cabs. But other than permissions to some categories of shops and factories to reopen, a decision on easing curbs is yet to be taken.
Though the Centre’s guidelines recommend easing of curbs in areas not in the red zone, it is the state government that has to take a final decision.

The administration on Friday ordered the opening of around 1,300 shops and 500-odd factories in areas that are not in containment zones in an effort to push more economic activity. But the number of Covid-19 cases has been on the rise in the city, and the results of about 350 samples are still awaited, making it difficult for the administrators to take a decision on implementing orange zone guidelines.
There is also a feeling that an increase in Covid cases could see the city slip back into the red zone when the next review happens.

#Gurugram moved from red to orange zone#COVID19outbreak #CoronavirusLockdown #CautionYesPanicNo #StayHomeSaveLives https://t.co/SzZvZ8kIqZ
— TOI Gurgaon (@TOIGurgaon) 1588390436000

Officials said many states had objected to the classification of zones released by the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Friday. For instance, Gurugram’s neighbouring district Faridabad is in the red zone though it has fewer cases.
Asked whether Gurugram will implement the new guidelines on orange zones, GMDA chief VS Kundu, who heads the Covid monitoring committee in the district, said, “Mostly yes. However, it would depend on the guidelines further issued by the state government.” Deputy commissioner Amit Khatri said the district administration would soon hold a meeting to decide on the restrictions.
On Friday, the number of positive cases in Gurugram rose to 63. As of now, Gurugram has identified 24 containment zones. Among the shops that have been allowed to open, 554 are in rural areas and 738 in urban zones. There are no restrictions on timings.
Officials said most of these shops are engaged in the repair of electronic goods and other appliances. Residents had been complaining that in the wake of the lockdown, they have been finding it difficult to get electronic gadgets repaired. “We have not mandated any timings for these shops. We want shops to remain open for a longer duration so that people do not feel the urgency to buy things in a specific time frame and crowd around these outlets,” said Kundu.
Apart from these shops, 513 industrial units, which employ 28,431 workers in total, have also been given permission to resume operations. However, these factories have been directed to ensure that safety protocols, such as social distancing and sanitisation norms, are followed.
Khatri said the decision to allow micro, small and medium enterprises to operate was in keeping with the state government’s guidelines. These factories not only manufacture essential goods but other products as well.
Officials said the opening of these factories would also ensure that people don’t suffer financially. A total of seven brick kilns, employing 613 labourers, have also been granted the permission to function. Moreover, 72 infrastructure projects, having a total of 12,617 labourers, have been given the green light to start construction.