As the Chhattisgarh government lifted some curbs in a bid to revive the battered economy amid the battle against Covid-19, several shops, dealing from textiles to auto repair and construction materials, resumed functioning in Raipur from Monday, drawing huge crowds.
More vehicles were seen on the roads during the third phase of the lockdown in the backdrop of highest recovery rate yet from coronavirus.
With 53 of the 59 patients discharged, only six active cases remain in the state and are being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur.
On Sunday, the district administration named the standalone outlets that could resume work from Monday.
Amid conditions like social distancing, 16 businesses have been allowed to operate.
They include motorcycles/two-wheeler and car service showrooms, firms dealing in automobile spare parts and stores selling tiles, construction materials, cement, sanitary ware, household appliances and optical shops.
Retail outlets engaged in sales and service of consumer items like electrical goods, mobile phones, motor, mixer, grinder and television can also operate.
Takeaway facilities from restaurants and dhabas will now be permitted through online agencies like Zomato and Swiggy.
Grocery shops in the capital have been allowed to do business only thrice a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) whereas milk booths and vegetable shops that were allowed to operate through the lockdown since March 24 can continue to work as usual.