At a time when the city is witnessing rapid surge in Covid-19 cases, the Chandigarh Administration on Friday decided to lift its weekend curfew order issued last week, allowing the shops and malls to remain open on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Administration, however, decided to continue with weekend closure of Sukhna Lake till further orders and the odd-even system that is operational in city’s 12 markets till September 3. The decisions were taken in the war room meeting held to review Covid-19 situation under Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore on Friday.The decision to close shops and malls on weekends had come under criticism from traders’ bodies and associations, who had submitted memoranda to the Administration demanding withdrawal of the order in view of adverse impact on business.
Manoj Parida, Adviser to UT Administrator said that the weekend closure of markets will be discontinued. However, the market associations and customers must ensure strict following of hygienic practices like wearing of masks and social distancing.