Shops to open from 5am to 5pm on odd-even basis in Mohali district

MOHALI: After deliberations with all the stakeholders, district magistrate Girish Dayalan has ordered that shops in the district can remain open between 5am and 5pm on an odd-even basis.
The order said shops in urban areas with even numbers can open on even dates and with odd numbers on odd dates. Dayalan said, “Mohali MC executive officer will mark shops as odd and even through the market associations concerned under supervision of respective SDMs. Covid monitors will be appointed by market associations to ensure adherence to guidelines. Names of monitors will be prominently displayed.” Restaurants and eateries can open only for home deliveries till 9pm, and both management and customers will be held liable for violations, if any. Services provided by selfemployed persons, such as electricians, plumbers, IT repairs, among others, have been allowed.
He said private offices are also allowed to open with only 33% staff and they have to ensure regular Covid testing of their employees, preferably every two weeks. Any person showing symptoms should be asked to isolate and test immediately. Private offices do not require any separate permission for opening, but in order to avoid crowding, only 33% staff should be called at any given time. Work from home should be encouraged by heads of all offices and staff can travel to and from work only on production of their ID cards. Misuse will invite strict penal action.
The government offices should avoid public dealing, except in emergency cases and that too preferably through digital means. Heads of departments and offices should ensure that their entire staff gets vaccinated. These orders will not apply to containment areas, where a strict perimeter control will be enforced and movement of persons prohibited, except for essential services. Any violations will invite criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Indian Penal Code.