Unlock 4: No Weekly Lockdown In Haryana, Markets To Open In Non-Containment Zones Post MHA Guidelines

The reversal of Haryana government's August 28 order comes at a time when the state witnessed a simultaneous surge in the number of Coronavirus cases in past few days.

(File Photo/ AFP)

The Haryana government on Sunday decided to withdraw its previous August 28 order, imposing lockdown in the state on Mondays and Tuesdays. The previous order, issued by the state government on Friday, had ordered to shut down shopping malls and markets in non-containment zones of urban areas on Mondays and Tuesday every week.

However, the new guidelines issued by Centre for Unlock 4 directs state government to not impose any local lockdown (outside containment zones), without prior consultation.

The reversal of Haryana government's August 28 order comes at a time when the state witnessed a simultaneous surge in the number of Coronavirus cases in past few days. The number of confirmed or positive Coronavirus cases in Haryana has reportedly neared 62,000-mark, with almost 10,000 active cases, the highest so far. The death count has reportedly reached 670.

"Under Unlock4 the central government has said that state government shall not impose any local lockdown (outside containment zones). So, the Haryana government has withdrawn the order issued August 29 to keep markets closed on Monday and Tuesday," state Home Minister Anil Vij tweeted Sunday.

केंद्र सरकार ने अनलॉक 4 में प्रदेश सरकारों को लॉक डाउन करने का अधिकार नही दिया है इसलिए हरियाणा सरकार का दिनांक 28 अगस्त का सोमवार और मंगलवार को बाज़ार बंद रखने का आदेश वापिस ले लिया है । इसलिए अब कोई लॉक डाउन नही होगा ।

— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) August 30, 2020

"...to contain further spread of COVID-19 in Haryana, shopping malls and shops, except those dealing with essential goods and services shall remain closed on Monday and Tuesday in the market places of urban areas of the state," the order issued on Friday had said.

In the fourth phase of easing of national coronavirus lockdown restrictions, Centre on Saturday announced guidelines for ‘Unlock 4’, which will come into effect from September 1. As per the new guidelines, Metro rail services will resume from September 7 in a graded manner and social, political, academic, sports, religious and other functions are now allowed with a maximum of 100 people attending. Schools, colleges and other educational institutes remain shut for students upto September 30.