As already over a crore people have lost their jobs due to the shutdown, the government has decided to reopen shopping malls, all types of shops and businesses on a limited scale from May 10 ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.
But most of the people related to the businesses are confused whether they should reopen their business or not since the number of new coronavirus infections is rising every day, even under lockdown.
Experts are of the opinion that reopening of shopping malls, markets, mosques and other business establishments is a suicidal decision as these crowded places will be the breeding grounds for the rapid transmission of the deadly coronavirus.
No doubt maintaining the 2- to 3-metre physical distance and hygiene at the shopping malls would be the biggest challenge for us.
The directives given by the
home ministry should be
strictly followed
However, since the reopening decision has already been taken, we think the authorities concerned, including law enforcement agencies, and business owners have a huge responsibility in maintaining social distancing and following other safety guidelines.
The directives given by the home ministry – that there should be sanitisers at the entrances to the malls, no one will be allowed inside the buildings without gloves and masks, and there will be a banner in front of malls saying that disregarding the health directives will cause life risk – should be strictly maintained.
Additionally, masks for employees and sanitisers for employees and others visiting the shops must be ensured by shop owners.
Facing such a situation, the market authorities must take proper precautionary measures before reopening. The public should also adhere to the safety guidelines set by authorities.
Based on the impending rush that may happen during Eid shopping, undoubtedly maintaining of all the guidelines by authorities is a challenging task.
In this regard the government must take up awareness campaigns and monitor how everything unfolds in these dire times. If safety measures are not properly implemented and followed, then the reopening of shopping centres may prove to be catastrophic.