Delhi markets trying to observe mask mandate amid rising COVID cases

Traders are concerned that if cases continue to increase, restrictions will be imposed on markets, which are yet to recover from the compound effect of inflation and Covid waves.

The Delhi government recently recapitulated that wearing masks in public places is mandatory, and a fine of Rs 500 is to be imposed on violators.

The national capital on Thursday reported 2,726 fresh cases, the highest in nearly seven months, according to health department data.

Ashok Randhawa, president of Mini Market Association, Sarojini Nagar, said that traders have begun to take precautions by pasting posters outside their establishments informing customers about the mask mandate.

Traders had also ceased wearing masks, but today, everyone was wearing a mask. We are instructing customers politely to wear a mask, but people have become complacent and we cannot force them, Randhawa stated.

The association has also distributed a circular, advising traders of the necessary safety measures.

They are also have plans to set up a COVID vaccination camp soon.

At Palika Bazaar also, traders said that customers couldn’t bother less about wearing masks.

“We regularly ask them to wear masks but people have stopped using them altogether. We cannot ask them continuously because it might impact our business. We can only advise them”, said Darshan Lal Kakkar, president of the Palika Bazaar Association.

Kakkar and Randhawa both were concerned that the rising cases might lead to more restrictions, which might again affect their business.

As per the data, active cases have reached 8,840, the highest in six months. On 6 February, the number of active coronavirus patients stood at 8,869.

KK Balli, president of the Association of Wholesale Readymade Garment Dealers (Gandhi Nagar), had similar concerns and hoped that the cases would decrease.

(With inputs from PTI)

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