Shops, malls reopen amid concerns

Authorities of most of the shopping malls and market places in Dhaka have decided to keep their malls closed despite government permission to reopen them considering the risks of spreading of novel coronavirus. A number shopping centers however reopened today (May 10) despite concerns. Stakeholders expressed great concerns regarding health risk in reopening market places amid the pandemic.  

Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, Baitul Mukarram Market, Dhaka New Market, Chandni Chwak, Gausia, Nur Mansion, Chistia Market, Dhanmondi Hawkers’ Market, Bangabazar Mohanagar Shopping Complex, Fulbaria Market, Mouchak and Anarkoli markets, Eastern Mollika, Motalib Plaza in the capital will not join the herd of many other shopping centres or malls in reopening amid health risks. Authorities of these shopping malls considered the health risks of both sales persons and customers.  

Dhaka New Super Market, Rapa Plaza, Rajdhani Market and Gazi Shopping Complex and many other markets including the ones at Elephant Road are reopening today. Besides, East Bengal Super Market, Ladies Park Market, and a number of markets in Old Dhaka and Islampur are resuming businesses from today. Moreover, a number of local fashion houses including Aarong are too opening.

Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association President Helal Uddin told The Business Post: “We applied on April 27 to open shops and shopping malls. But there was a delay in getting the permission. It’s tough to take preparation in such a short time ahead of Eid. Besides, panic is growing in the public as the number of coronavirus infected is increasing every day.

He said that authorities of a number of well-established markets including New Super Market, Rapa Plaza and several others in Uttara and Old Dhaka’s Islampur have decided to reopen. "We have asked them to maintain all directives and health guidelines issued by the government."

 Tawfiq Ehsan, president of Elephant Road Shop Owners’ Assosiation, echoed the same concerns. He said it will depend on the shopkeepers’ willingness whether they want to open shops. A meeting has been held with officials from the police on how the shopkeepers could maintain social distancing while operating businesses.

While visiting on Saturday, traders of several markets in Sadarghat area including East Bengal Super Market and Islampur cloth markets were seen taking preparations for reopening shops. The Panjabi shops adjacent to Pir Eamin Market already have started to reopen.

Besides, fashion house Aarong is opening its outlets following a set of guidelines. BRAC Social Enterprises Managing Director Tamara Abed said 17 out of 21 Aarong outlets will open from today on limited scale, as per directives from the government. Each of the customers can shop at Aarong outlets for maximum one hour, and only after registering online. 

The other local fashion houses which aren’t opening now, will open one by one upon own decision considering current situation, said Fashion Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (FEAB). In this regard, the fashion houses must follow all terms and instructions of the government issued health guidelines, said the body.   

People related to market are concerned over reopening of markets and shopping centers at a time when the virus infection is on the rise. To many the decision of reopening malls is ‘suicidal’.  

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) President Md Golam Rahman told The Business Post that virus infection will obviously increase when the shops are open, no matter how many conditions and directives are issued by the government. Therefore the decision of opening the markets will not be wise. I thank the authorities who have decided not to reopen their malls considering public health risks, he said.  

He said, if people’s lives are endangered, the economy will ultimately face the music. He said, there will be more Eid and we cannot restrict Eid only to shopping and gifts.  

Executive Director of Conscious Consumers’ Society (CCS), Palash Mahmud, said the government's decision to reopen markets could be a serious mistake as virus transmission is still on. We should maintain social-distancing for some more time, as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and experts. The decision of reopening markets is obviously ‘suicidal’ as the number of coronavirus infection is increasing. 

Earlier, on May 4, the Cabinet Division sent letters to the home ministry, commerce ministry, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners (DCs) mentioning shops and shopping malls will open on low scale from May 10.  

The letters said, the government has decided to limit the ban imposed on public movement during. In the letter, a request was made to facilitate the reopening shops and shopping malls in all districts and upazilas from May 10 on limited scale. The letters however asked authorities to remain tough on inter-district public transportation and movement.

On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) asked people to shop at the malls located within two kilometers of their respective localities. Each of shopper must carry ID card/passport/driving licence while going shopping, said DMP. DMP issued a set of 14 directives regarding reopening shopping malls and market places amid this coronavirus situation.  

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