In a late night move, the government on Friday night permitted opening of neighbourhood and stand alone shops, including those located in residential complexes within municipal areas, but at a 50 per cent strength and the necessary precautions.

The late night order, undersigned by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, will not apply to areas covered under the hotspots or containment zones and shopping malls.

“All shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/Union Territory, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single-brand malls, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, with 50 per cent strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory,” reads the MHA order.

Earlier this week, the government had relaxed lockdown for the attendants and caregivers of senior citizens who are residing at home. The government had also exempted food processing units that manufacture bread, process milk, flour and dal mills, from the lockdown, provided that hygiene and safety practices are followed.

The orders, however, added that the head of the organisation would be responsible for implementing social distancing and ensuring proper hygiene practices while adhering to the standard operating procedures to be followed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The development came after the Centre on Thursday said it has been able to slow down the infection rate to “flatten the curve” and minimise the spread during the period of the national lockdown which has entered the 32nd day.

Top officials of the union government and the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) said the situation is “currently stable”, adding the testing has also been ramped up consistently though it was not enough.