Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 12: The District Administration Srinagar today announced the re-opening of markets and shops in the district from tomorrow, first time since March, amid strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

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Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, ordered that the shops will re-open on June 13.  The order said that Bookshops, Stationery, Chemists, Medical products, Grocery, Fruits, Vegetables, Milk and Milk products, Meat, Poultry, Farming products, repair workshops, e-Commerce and courier, Hotels Restaurants for home-delivery, Take-away, bakery, and other essential products will remain open for full day from Monday to Saturday.
The order further said that on Monday, Wednesday and Friday Readymade garments, Cloth shop, Cosmetics, Footwear Electronics and Electric Material, Jewellery, Tailors, Designers, Boutiques will remain open from 11 am to 5:30 pm.  It said that on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Handicrafts, Handloom, Hardware, Building material, Furniture, Furnishing, Automobiles, Services stations, Salons Beauty Parlours will remain open from 11 am to 5:30 pm.
The order read: “The SOPs contained in Govt of UT of JAK vide Order No.62-JK(DMRRR) of 2020 dated 07-06-2020 for Hotels and Restaurants, Shopping Malls and Salons/Barbershops etc shall be strictly followed. Further, concerned market association shall be responsible for observance of all SOPs. Wearing mask and physical distancing shall be mandatory.”
The order said that equidistant circle in paint indicating mandatory distance shall be marked outside every shop, establishment. “No business shall be transacted in absence of guidelines related to mandatory wearing of Masks and Physical distancing.  Every shop, establishment shall be properly sanitized before being made operational hand sanitizers, hand wash, Soap etc shall also be compulsorily made available at every establishment.”
It said that shopping Malls shall prominently display roster for 50 percent shops to be opened on alternate days as prescribed in SEC notification.
The order said in view of multifarious dimensions involved, suggestions and recommendations were obtained from SKIMS Srinagar, Govt Medical College Srinagar, SKIMS Medical College Bemina and Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, and sector- specific SOPs have been devised taking into account such recommendations and standard protocols notified by the competent authority.
“Detailed deliberations were held with all trade & business organisations and associations viz a viz notification of containment zones in the district and limited permissible activities therein, mandatory observance of SOPs particularly related to mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining physical distancing, hygiene and sanitization,” the order read. “The SOPs notified by the SEC are to be observed in letter and spirit,” it said
The DC said that the organisations ensured that all SOPs are observed for permissible 50% opening of shops in line with SEC notification.
“Therefore, in line with the permissible activities and opening of 50% shops provided in the SE notification, consultations held with stakeholders and readiness to observe SOPs and necessary steps for COVID containment expressed by the trade and business organisations”, the order said.
“It is strongly advised for all the shopkeepers to download Aarogya Setu Mobile App on their Mobile Phones. While all trade organisations have assured adherence to laid down norms and SOPs in the interest of public health, the Executive Magistrates and SHOs shall ensure strict enforcement and initiate action in case of violations. Market wise undertaking for this purpose shall be mandatory segregation of trades has been done for maintaining the prescribed 50% number of shops. The local market committees shall ensure that in no case the prescribed number limit is violated. Regular inspection shall be made by concerned officials to avoid violations,” the order read.
The order said that that night restrictions between 8 pm to 5 am shall continue to be in place and only essential services shall be allowed during the period. “As far the public transport, the order read that three wheelers with 2 Passengers have been allowed under SEC guidelines. Further guidelines will be notified separately after ongoing capacity building for public transport stall. In compliance of High Court directions and SEC guidelines, no parking shall be allowed on roads except designated/ notified parking places, the order read.
“Any violation of these Orders/SOPs/ Instructions notified by SEC O DDMA, shall attract action under Section 51 of The Disaster Management Act 2008. Section 188 IPC and/or Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 apart from other laws applicable. The trade and business organisations shall make all efforts to ensure observance of SOPs in markets as has been undertaken by them during the consultation process,” the order read.

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