BMC Clears Air On Shop, Shopping Complex Opening Guidelines

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday came up with a clarification to obviate the confusion of traders over opening of shops as per the July guidelines of the State government.

The move came after some business establishments have requested the civic body to allow opening of their shop, shopping complex claiming that they do not come under shopping mall category.

an order, the civic body specified which shops come under the shopping mall category.

“The opening of shopping malls have been prohibited in order to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the order said.

To prevent the confusion, the BMC issued a clarification which will be applicable within the jurisdiction of BMC.

a. A shopping complex/shop business establishment whose area is less than 25000 Square feet will be allowed to open.

b. For the calculation of area it means the shopping complex/shop/business establishment whose total area taking into consideration all Floors (in case of multi-storeyed building) will be treated as one unit. Opening of part of the shop and claiming it to be less than 25000 square feet will not be considered.

c. However, in case a shopping complex has office complex and its total space is more than 25000 square feet including office space then its shopping complex area will be taken towards the calculation for total area.

d. The shopping complex/shops/business establishments shall have to adhere to strict COVID norms and particularly social distancing protocol during the business hours.

The BMC has made the number of customers allowed to maximum 25 at any point of time provided there is sufficient space available for them for maintenance of social distancing of 6 ft among the customers.