The District authorities on Monday placed limits on the opening of shops along NH 415. It was due to the current Covid-19 scenario in the Itanagar capital region (ICR).

Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom in a briefing informed that the shops along the highway shall be allowed to open on alternate days (left side/right side) from 5am-5 pm.

Shops on the left side of the highway from Hollongi to Banderdewa will be allowed to open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. While, the shops on the right side of the highway from Hollongi to Banderdewa will be allowed to open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

“All shops and other establishments shall remain closed on Sundays, and all shops and commercial establishments within the ICR shall shut down at 5 pm,” the DC stated in an order.

Potom informed that the state health task force issued a direction that lockdown should be imposed only if the Covid positivity rate is about 10 percent.

“Earlier, it was imposed after the positivity rate shot up above 5 percent,” he said.

“The state health task force also suggested left-right alternate shops opening along NH 415, considering the prevailing Covid situation,” Potom said.

The DC further urged the shopkeepers and vendors to “proactively encourage customers to observe Covid-appropriate behaviour while selling products.”

Night curfew and total ban on movement of individuals or vehicles under Section 144 CrPC r/w powers conferred under Section 34 (b) & (c) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, except for exemptions granted, will come into effect from 5 am of Tuesday to 31 July within the geographical territory of the ICR.