In order to ensure smooth supply of essential items and discourage large gathering during ongoing lockdown period, the Delhi Government on Thursday said shops and factories associated with essential services can operate 24x7. No additional licence is required.
In a joint Press meet with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “We have decided to allow all establishments that supply essential items or are part of the supply chain for such items to function 24x7 to prevent overcrowding during the day. This will require no additional permits and licences. E-commerce companies in Delhi can home deliver essential commodities and employees’ identity cards to be considered valid,” he said.
Addressing people via video streaming, Kejriwal said areas SDMs and ACPs must ensure opening of shops and factories supplying such as vegetables, general, ration, medicines in their areas.
“ACPs have been tasked with ensuring that all the grocery shops and other utility stores remain open. Today we discussed delivery of essential services,” he said.
Kejriwal said, “We have ordered that there will be no restriction on e-commerce companies providing essential services. We have also formulated a plan by which we can check if the essential service providers are working at the ground and if they have enough stock or not.”
Citing Delhi’ health bulletin report on COVID -19, the CM announced that right now Delhi has a total of 36 COVI-19 positive cases. In the last 24 hours, only one new case was reported. “Among the 36 cases, 26 of them travelled from coronavirus affected countries and 10 people got the virus through local transmission.”
“In Delhi, the Central Government, the Delhi Government, police and the residents of Delhi are working together to combat this pandemic. Most of the people are following the instructions and staying Indore but we have some cases of violations of the lockdown orders. I will request every resident of Delhi to follow the lockdown order,” Kejriwal said.
“We are issuing e-passes to people engaged in manufacturers, transport, and storage of essential items, as well as the people who work in private or Government essential services. Also, passes will be issued to people engaged in the supply and distribution of five basic essential items like milk, vegetables, ration shops, chemists and pharmacists,” he concluded.