Premium

This is an archive article published on May 19, 2020

Lockdown 4 comes with a host of relaxations in Chandigarh

The Chandigarh administration decided that salons/barbers will remain closed until they come out with proper guidelines on how to operate.

The Chandigarh Administration on Monday announced a slew of relaxations in lockdown 4.0. (Express File Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

IN a bid to limp back to normalcy even as Covid cases hover around the 200 mark, the Chandigarh Administration on Monday announced a slew of relaxations in lockdown 4.0.

All markets, including those on sector dividing roads, main roads and Sector 17 Plaza, were permitted to open without odd-even scheme. The odd-even scheme will apply to rehri markets in all sectors and other congested markets where social distancing has to be maintained.

All passenger vehicles, cars, taxis, autorickshaws were allowed to ply on city roads but with riders. Cars or taxis are permitted only with a total of three passengers while autorickshaws with one passenger.

Only non-AC buses were allowed with 50 per cent capacity with a flat rate of Rs 20 per ticket. About movement within the Tricity, the UT Adviser has spoken to Punjab and Haryana governments to give no objection for plying of CTU buses so that people don’t face any problem.

“UT has already conveyed to Punjab and Haryana to allow inter-state movement without passes within the Tricity. Reply is awaited from the two states,” said UT Adviser Manoj Parida.

CONTAINMENT ZONES

Containment zones as delineated and designated earlier will continue. There will be a regular review of the boundaries of containment zones and other additions or deletions of areas will be done taking into consideration the field report.

SALONS/BARBERS

The administration decided that salons/barbers will remain closed until they come out with proper guidelines on how to operate. The administration is finalising a standard operating procedure in consultation with medical experts.

However, spa and massage centres will not be permitted.

GOVT, PRIVATE OFFICES

Story continues below this ad

Public dealing offices like sampark, RLA will open. General public can meet officers for grievances between 11 am and 12 noon only, preferably with prior appointments.

The UT Administration said that private offices are advised to operate with 50 per cent staff. However, work from home will be encouraged.

SPORTS COMPLEXES

Sports complexes will remain open. However, close-proximity games such as wrestling, judo will not be allowed. Spectators not allowed. However, canteen, eating joints attached to sports complexes will remain closed.

BUSES TO PLY WITH 50 PC CAPACITY

All non-AC buses will ply in the Tricity but with the consent of neighbouring states. A flat rate of Rs 20 per ticket will be charged. Buses will run with 50 per cent capacity only to ensure social distancing.

Story continues below this ad

Passenger vehicles like cars, autos and taxies will be allowed. However, autos will be permitted to ply only with one passenger. Cars and taxis will be allowed with maximum three persons.

RESTAURANTS AND SWEET SHOPS

Sweet shops and bakeries are permitted to open. However, they won’t be allowed dining facilities. Home delivery of cooked food allowed.

Even restaurants are allowed home delivery of cooked food. The UT said that they have to follow strict hygiene

MARKETS

Sector 17, Sector 34, all neighbourhood markets and those on sector dividing roads, main roads — all will open.

Story continues below this ad

Timings for sectors 17, 34 and main road markets will be 11 am to 6 pm.

Those in internal sectors, neighbourhood markets, will have timings from 10 am to 6 pm. They can function on all days except usual off day.

Shops in rehri markets such as Sector 22-D Shastri market, Sector 15 patel market, Sector 19 Sedar Bazar, Sector 41 Krishna Market shall open on an odd-even basis. Shop timings here will be from 10.30 am to 6 pm. Social distancing will be mandatory.

MALLS SHUT

All malls such as Elante Mall, DLF, Centra, including essential shops, eateries and offices in the malls, and multiplexes will remain closed.

STREET VENDING ALLOWED

Story continues below this ad

According to the orders, street vending will be allowed on an odd-even basis only in earmarked vending zones. Street vendors registered with the MC permitted.

Apni mandi or day markets will remain closed till further orders. But the Sector 26 wholesale market will function as usual.

Movement of individuals will remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am except for essential activities.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram