Himachal Pradesh: Huge rush at shops on first day of COVID-19 lockdown phase 3

People gathered in large numbers outside shops in Shimla which opened after 40 days on Monday as the third phase of the coronavirus-forced lockdown began with the easing of certain restrictions.

Government offices also opened with thirty per cent staff in attendance, but public transport remained shut.

The Himachal Pradesh government has allowed most of the shops, except hair salons, barbershops, spas and bars, to open during a five-hour relaxation in the curfew for the first time since March 24. For the state capital, curfew has been relaxed from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.

In market areas, shops have been allowed to open on alternate days to maintain social distancing.

Long queues were seen outside liquor vends which were allowed to open after 40 days. At the stretch between CTO and Scandal Point, people, wearing masks, gathered in large numbers without maintaining social distancing norms to buy liquor.

One-way entry and exit of people were allowed on Mall road, Scandal Point and markets, and police have been deployed in large number to ensure that lockdown norms are observed.

However, a utensil shopkeeper at Lower Bazaar area said that he was yet to get a single customer. "Most of my customers come from far-flung areas. With public transport still shut, I haven't been able to sell anything yet."