Markets closed; but hustle and bustle of citizens continue

Aurangabad, July 17:

Despite the non-essential shops being closed on weekends, many market areas in the city were crowded with people buying goods from the shops that were floating administration's warning and doing business during the weekend lockdown. The shopkeepers were not seen worried about the police nor the municipal squads.

Considering the threat of Delta Plus variant and third wave of Covid-19, the city has been included in class-3 category of covid rules. Therefore, the district administration issued an order to close all transactions after 4 pm on weekdays and a total lockdown on weekends from June 29. However, citizens and traders are seen floating all the rules of lockdown. A similar situation to complete unlock is visible in most areas of the city on weekends. Only essential services are excluded from the 100 per cent lockdown on weekends. Despite the fact that the number of corona patients is low at present, the danger has not been averted, the administration has repeatedly said that in many places the crowds of citizens are not decreasing. Neither the customers nor shopkeepers are bothered about maintaining physical distance. Though people wear masks, most of them do not wear them properly. Use of sanitizers and thermal guns have reduced significantly in shops and government offices. Crowds were seen in Gulmandi, Paithan gate, Aurangpura, Shahganj, Roshangate, Jawahar Colony, Garkheda, Satara, Shivajinagar, Railway Station, Cantonment, Cidco, Hudco, Chikalthana and Mukundwadi areas on Saturday. The checks at entry points have also reduced increasing the chances of further spread of covid in the city from people from other districts.

Crowd continued on weekends

Even though most of the markets were closed, there was heavy traffic throughout the day. Shop keepers were doing business through the back door. Some had deployed employees outside the shop to keep an eye on police. These employees were only letting the regular customers in the shops. Vendors, pan and tea stalls were also open without any concern.

No sanitizers, thermal guns

The administration has ordered all establishments to keep sanitizers and thermal gun at the entrance and check every person entering the shop. However, the rule is being openly floated in city markets. Many shops are crowded and neither the traders nor the shoppers are worried about wearing masks.