Though markets and shopping malls in the capital Dhaka are not besieged by Eid-shoppers, poor social distancing and no abidance of health guidelines by the buyers at the markets pose a threat to increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Not maintaining of minimum physical distance coupled with not following other health safety measures by the customers is a common sight in most of markets and shopping complexes that have opened in view of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Sometimes it is also seen that buyers and sellers bargaining on certain products staying too close to each other and taking off their masks.
Such health-threatening scenario was found while visiting the capital’s Polwel Super Market at Paltan, Karnaphuli Garden City Market Shopping Complex at Santinagar, Malibagh Ayesha Shopping Complex, Baily Star Shopping Complex on Baily Road and some shopping malls at Uttara.
Some big markets have taken precautionary measures like restricting entry and marked lines to maintain social distancing to avert coronavirus infections in their respective malls.
The markets and shopping malls authorities are also screening body temperature of the customers, providing them hand sanitizers and applying other precautionary measures before allowing customers to enter the main gates.
However, the inner scenario is totally different than the entrance. In reality, buyers are seen rushing to several shops to get their desire products neglecting the health safety measures.
Bangladesh Shop Owners Association President Helal Uddin in a video statement said, “As we are operating our business in a limited scale, strict government’s decisions with social distancing and hygiene rules should be followed”.
He also urgedshops and markets owners to sanitize the stores and disinfect all touchpoints, including trollies and basket handles, regularly in their business outlets.
“For neglecting social distancing and not following health instructions, markets in different parts of the country have been closed down. Jahan Mansion on Elephant Road in the capital was also forced to shut down for similar reason, following the day they reopened the marketensuring related health safety issues”, he added.
According to a research, most of the markets, bazaars and shopping malls in the capital have fewer spaces in the front and behind the display desks. As a result, there is no market for the required amount of space to maintain social distancing as per the guidelines of the government.
However, preventive medicine specialist Dr Lenin Chowdhury, when contacted, said, “If any infected person without symptoms goes for shopping, from his or hersneeze, cough or touch, coronavirus can spread silently in the closed environment of the shopping malls.
In the meantime, markets in Khulna, Chuadanga, Faridpur, Netrokona, Manikganj, and Satkhirawere closed down for not following health instructions properly and overflown of buyers.
The government has decided to reopen the shopping complexes in ‘limited scales’ from May 10, on condition of maintaining hygiene rules and social distancing.
Welcoming the government decision, amid fear and considering safety of both, customers and the salesmen, a good number of authorities of the country’s markets and shopping malls, including two of the largest shopping malls--Basundhara City Shopping Complex and Jamuna Future Park-- have decided not to reopen their businesses until the situation improves.