Following the surge in Covid-19 cases in the national Capital, the traders' associations across the city have resumed regular sanitisation of their establishments, put up posters on Covid-appropriate behaviour and are ensuring proper masking in the markets.
According to the representatives of market associations, the bazaars and market complexes are the first ones to be impacted by the Covid-necessitated restrictions, so they are taking pre-emptive action to avoid facing the brunt of it.
With booster doses for the Coronavirus available for all adults, the traders' associations have also been planning holding vaccine camps to ensure the safety of shop owners and customers. The New Delhi Traders’ Association (NDTA) has said it is ensuring that all necessary precautions are followed in the markets and has urged all its members to take booster doses.
Traders at Palika Bazaar have also taken several measures to prevent the spread of the virus and have started the making announcements on loudspeakers reminding people to wear masks. "As cases are increasing, we have started taking measures like reminding people at regular intervals to wear masks. We have asked guards to prevent the entry of customers who are not wearing masks. We are planning to organise a camp to give booster doses to people," said Darshan Lal Kakkar, president, Palika Bazaar Association. Traders at Chandni Chowk, the area which is witnessing a surge in footfall due to the wedding season, have brought back Covid protocols and are ensuring that masking is followed. Traders believe that another set of restrictions will have a bad impact on trade, and may even bankrupt business owners.For most part of the last two years, markets remained shut or were allowed to open with restrictions due to the pandemic.
During the Omicron wave earlier this year, city authorities had brought back the night curfew, and had forced markets to follow the odd-even arrangement for several weeks.
The national Capital has been witnessing an uptick in Coronavirus infections over the past few days. The number of active cases has now increased to 4,168 from 601 on April 11, according to health department data.
The hospitalisation rate so far has been low, accounting for less than three per cent of the total active cases, it said.