Coronavirus Lockdown: Shops for School Books, Agriculture and Horticulture Research Established Allowed to Open, says MHA Guidelines

Coronavirus Lockdown: On 21st April, the Home Ministry allowed opening of Shops selling School Books and Educational Items along with research institutes that operate in the agriculture and horticulture domains during the on-going lockdown. As per the revised guidelines issued on Tuesday, shops selling school text books, agri and horticulture research establishments along with shops selling or repairing electric fans, services of bedside attendants of senior citizens and public utilities including recharge facilities for prepaid mobile phones have been allowed to stay open during the lockdown period announced until 3^rd May 2020.

School Books Shop to Remain Open

The opening of shops selling school books, text books and other educational items during the lockdown period has come across as positive news for students and parents. With majority of the states announcing promotion of school students in non-board classes to the next grade without any exams; the online classes for next academic year has already begun. However, to supplement these classes and to initiate proper learning process for the students, they need to be provided school text books and other necessary stationary materials. With the opening of school book shops now, this will be easily available to the students, who can now continue their studies further.

Other Relaxations Announced by MHA

In addition to shops selling school books and agriculture and horticulture research establishments, the government has also announced a host of other relaxations to provide some relief to the people during the lockdown. As part of these, now agricultural and forestry items shops, bread factories and flour mills in urban areas, milk processing plants, dal mills, will be allowed to remain open. However, the ministry made it clear that social distancing for offices, workshops, factories and establishments must be ensured.

Relaxations Only Applicable in Non-Containment Zones

Like all the relaxations offered in the lockdown rules, these additional exemptions have also been made applicable only in areas that are declared as non-containment zones or non-hotspots for COVID-19 cases.