The UnionHome Ministry on Tuesday allowed opening of shops selling school books andelectric fans, services of bedside attendants of senior citizens and publicutilities including recharge facilities for prepaid mobile phones during theongoing lockdown.

The homeministry also said bread factories and flour mills located in urban areas canrestart operations during the ongoing lockdown to combat the novel coronavirusoutbreak.

In separateorders, the home ministry said the decision has been taken after receiving somequeries with regard to exemptions of specific services and activities allowedthrough the guidelines issued so far.

Shops ofeducational books for students, shops of electric fans will be allowed to openduring the lockdown, which is scheduled to end on May 3.

Bedsideattendants and care givers of senior citizens residing in their homes andpublic utilities including recharge facilities for prepaid mobile connectionwill be allowed to offer services, the ministry said in its order.

Food processingunits such as bread factories, milk processing plants, flour mills, dal millsetc., located in urban areas will be allowed to function during the lockdown.However,the ministry made it clear that social distancing for offices, workshops,factories and establishments must be ensured.