Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced major relaxation from restrictions in lockdown 4.0 on Monday evening.
The relaxations include the opening of liquor shops and resumption of inter-State and intra-State taxi services. Private offices and bookstores will also open during this period, he said.
In his video message, Soren said that the Government has planned the relaxations in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
“While we fight this virus, it is also our responsibility to focus on the economy. Private offices, liquor stores and factories will open during lockdown 4.0,” said Soren.
Since CBSE students will soon appear for examinations, the Government has decided to keep all the bookstores open during this period, said Soren.
CM also announced the resumption of e-commerce services in lockdown 4.0. Construction activities, which came to a standstill since the lockdown was imposed, will also resume, he added.
Warehouses, godowns, service centres of electrical appliances will also be functional during this phase of lockdown, Soren said.
“All other activities which were permitted earlier will also continue. Agriculture, transportation of goods and sale of essential items will continue,” he said.
The services, however, will not be permitted in containment zones across the State. The number of containment zones in Jharkhand has increased from 33 to 63 in the course of a fortnight, officials said.
The opening of liquor stores assumes significance due to its economical aspect, sources said. The revenue earned from the sale of liquor has come down to zero in Jharkhand since the nationwide lockdown was imposed in wake of Covid-19 pandemic, officials said.
