Even as it extended the lockdown till May 29, the Telangana Government has decided to reopen the economy by allowing business activities in the rural areas fully and partly in municipal areas.
However, the lockdown norms will continue to be in force throughout the State till May 29. The movement of private vehicles will be restricted to those who got passes from the police. The public transport will not be available for some more time. The night-time curfew will continue.
All the relaxations given to businesses are limited to day time only.
As it allows liquor sales from Wednesday, it announced a hike of 11 per cent on prices of cheap liquor and 16 per cent on the expensive brands.
The State gave a green signal to construction activity in the housing sector and reopen of private establishments with one-third of staff working in the offices.
The State has nine districts under the Green Zone, 18 in Orange Zone and the remaining six districts in the Red Zone. The Red Zone included Hyderabad, Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts.
Announcing the extension of lockdown and relaxations on Tuesday night, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said the activities in the Stamps and Registration Department and Road Transport Authority (RTA) would be allowed. People can register their vehicles, including in the Red Zone areas.
All shops that serve the agricultural sector and infrastructure sector (including cement, hardware, steel shops) can function.
All the shops and establishments in the Green and Orange zones can start their operations. While all of the shops in rural areas, including mandal headquarters, can function, those in municipal areas will open partially. “The officials will take lots to select 50 per cent shops on a particular day. The remaining 50 per cent shops will be allowed the other day,” he said.
Liquor sales
The State will allow sales of liquor across the State, including in the six Red Zone districts. Only 15 shops in the containment zones would not be opened.
Asking the buyers and sellers to ensure physical distancing norms, he threatened to close down the shops if found violating the safety norms.
Defending the move to open liquor sales, the Chief Minister said the State was compelled to take the decision as all the neighbouring districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh began to sell liquor. “It could lead to cross-border sales and smuggling,” he said.