Haryana to shut malls & markets on Monday-Tuesday, not weekends

CHANDIGARH/GURUGRAM: Protests from traders and mall owners have forced the Haryana government to backtrack from its weekend lockdown order. It will still, however, be a five-day week for malls and markets, but the days of closure have been shifted to Monday and Tuesday instead of Saturday and Sunday. The restrictions don't apply to those dealing in essential goods and services. The revised order, issued on Friday, also does not apply to government or private offices, which will continue to remain open on Monday and Tuesday.
A decision in this regard was taken by the state's executive committee under the State Disaster Management Authority and the order was issued by the chief secretary. On August 21, the state had issued an order on closure of all public and private offices (except essential services) and shopping malls and shops in market areas (again exempting essential goods & services) on weekends.
Many traders welcome shift in lockdown days in Ggn
The Haryana government's earlier decision to shut offices and markets on weekend was taken to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the state.
“The SDMA has reconsidered the matter… Malls and shops, except those dealing with essential goods and services, shall remain closed on Monday and Tuesday in the marketplaces or urban areas of Haryana. Accordingly, there is no bar on opening of shops and shopping malls on Saturday and Sunday in these areas,” states the order, adding that the guidelines will be applicable till further orders. The government’s decision has been welcomed by traders.
“Customers refrain from stepping out through the week and only go out during the weekends. That’s the time when we can earn any profits. The previous decision of the government to close shops and shopping malls on Saturday and Sunday would have affected us badly. We had also written to the chief minister to reconsider it. It is a welcome move for the traders’ community,” said Neeraj Yadav, president, Galleria Market Association.
A section of traders, however, said the decision should have been taken after convening a meeting of all stakeholders. “The decision is in favour of small-scale traders. However, most of the manufacturing units are already closed on Sunday, and on top of that, we have been told to close our shops on Monday and Tuesday as well. The state government should sit with shop owners and traders and devise a strategy that is feasible for everyone,” said Kanhaiya Lal Pahwa, president, Haryana Vyapar Mandal, Gurugram. Some shop owners also questioned the need to close shops at all when they are following safety guidelines.