Shopaholics crowd shopping malls and markets in the capital, which reopened on small scale ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, flouting the government’s instructions on social distancing and healthcare amid the risk of spreading and contacting coronavirus.
Even in some cases customers in city’s markets were seen queued up huddling together without keeping 6-feet personal distance. Customers were also seen coming in close contact with each other while buying things inside the shop.
People are showing their concern on social media platform over the violation of the social distancing measures at a time when number of coronavirus cases is rising in Bangladesh.
The number of novel coronavirus cases in Bangladesh rises to 17,822 after 1,162 new cases were reported in last 24 hours which is highest in a single day record in the country so far, according to the Health Ministry. The number of fatalities related with coronavirus rises to 269 after the latest report of 19 deaths today.
During a tour of the capital’s Elephant Road on Wednesday this correspondent found crowds of customers in the market, showing utter disregard to hygiene and personal distancing guidelines.
With few exception, many of the shopkeepers didn’t keep disinfection material and follow the social distancing guidelines.
Kamrul Hasan, manager of Menz Klub branch in Elephant Road said, “We are trying our best to follow the healthcare directives and keep personal distance but on some occasions we can’t fully comply with it because of reluctant customers”.
He also said, “We are trying our best to follow healthcare tips. We can’t make both ends meet as cost of running shops are surpassing the income we generate. We see some enthusiastic crowd in the market but sale is low. Customers are yet to decide on the buying of things as still more than 12 days to go before Eid. Hope sales will gather pace to the coming days”
Obaidul Karim, owner of New Jeans leather in Dhaka New Super Market, said it is very tough to maintain social distancing in our market as most of the shops are small in size and alley of the market is very narrow.
Police on Tuesday shut Bangabazaar Market in Gulistan area and two other shops in Dhanmondi area for not complying with healthcare guidance at the time of business.
Market authority and the two shops did not set up any sanitizing at the entrance of market and the shops, posing serious health risk among the customers.
Earlier on Sunday, law enforcers shut two shopping malls ‘ARA Centre’ and ‘ADC Empire’ for defying healthcare rules but allowed them to open on Monday after the authorities followed proper health rules.
Akhramul Huq, a small business entrepreneur in ICT sector who was trying to buy Eid dresses for his family members in Elephant Road, said, it is very tough to maintain social distancing in Eid shopping as people are coming to some particular markets and shops as most of the markets remain closed.
He is critical about the suspension of public transport saying that “I don’t find any reason to suspend public transport as shops and markets were allowed for businesses. Rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers are charging higher fares in the absence of public transport. It is also impossible to maintain social distancing in rickshaw as passenger and driver barely have one feet gap in between them”.
President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Helal Uddin on Monday said that shops and markets will instantly be shut if social distancing and healthcare guidelines are flouted during business hours.
He said, “At this moment we are in at the risk of health crisis, so no laxity will be tolerated. I will request different cooperatives and markets authorities to shut shops and shopping malls if anybody failed to comply with maintaining social distancing and healthcare guidance.”
Earlier on May 4, government announced the reopening of shopping malls and markets from May 10, laying down some preconditions as part of reopening economic activities but many shop owners associations refused to reopen market before Eid fearing that it will accelerate coronavirus infection.
The DMP will not allow the operation of passenger busses, but people can use ordinary rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws to travel with not more than two passengers and the passengers and the driver must wear masks.
Residents of Dhaka will be allowed to do their Eid shopping within 2km of their residences. They will not be allowed to travel farther for shopping.
