The district magistrate Imphal West district, Naorem Praveen Singh on Thursday issued an order stating that the wholesale and retail markets should be opened from 6 am to 2 pm including Imphal City within the revenue district of Imphal West with immediate effect from May 22 until further orders.

The order mentioned that people should go to local market only. However, vehicles are not allowed for local marketing. Only the retailers are allowed to procure essential commodities and other related items from the wholesale market by district wise rotation as per the schedule notified earlier vide officer memorandum bearing No 9/6(1)/2020-H(Pt) dated March 30 of the secretariat: Home department, government of Manipur, it said. No retail market should be opened in Dharamsala, Thangal and Paona Bazar areas, it added.

Social distancing norms should be observed and the shopkeepers are responsible for maintaining the same, it further said while adding wearing masks is compulsory. The guidelines, standard operating procedures and national directives on COVID-19 should be strictly followed, it said. The other items and conditions of the order shall remain unchanged, it added.