The Utkal Chemist and Druggist Association (UCDA) has demanded that the Government declare the medicine shop owners and their staff members as Covid warriors considering the relentless service rendered by them by supplying medicines, sanitiser, mask and other kits during the pandemic time. At the same time, the association also demanded that the Government give them priority in vaccinating the chemists and their staff members, besides their family members. “During this pandemic situation our association was making all efforts for availability of all essential medicines, sanitiser and mask in spite of non availability of transport and courier services. We took it as a challenge to serve the mankind,” said UCDA general secretary Prasanta Kumar Mohapatra, adding, “The Government is neither ready to declare us as frontline Covid Warriors nor giving us any priority in vaccination process.” The association warned of closing down the shops for indefinite period by launching a stir if the demands were not fulfilled by the Government soon.