Angul: Amid mounting Covid-19 cases, different traders' associations in Palalhada and Paradip have called for voluntary shutdown of shops and business establishments from Wednesday.
In the last 10 days, Palalhada in Angul has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the Covid-19 positive cases and to break the chain of the virus Palalhada Traders’ Association has decided to shut down the market for three days from May 12-14.
Vegetable, grocery, fish and meat vendors have unanimously extended their support to the Palalhada Traders’ Association.
“In the current scenario, ensuring safety of locals is more important than business. Many blocks have called for shut down recently and we too decided to close down all business activities voluntarily to stem the virus spread. We have also apprised the administration about our decision,” said Niranjan Rana, President of Palalhada Traders’ Association.
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Angul district administration has welcomed the move of the traders’ association. “Though the administration has put in place stringent measures to curb the pandemic, the move by the traders’ association to self regulate themselves will go a long way to keep the pandemic in check,” said an official.
Meanwhile, Atharabanki fish market in Paradip will remain voluntarily closed for eight days from May 12-19 to check the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
“Atharabanki fish market will remain close for eight days to curb the spread of the virus. We request all the traders and buyers to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines to keep themselves and others safe,” said Prakash Kumar Jena, secretary of Kartikeswar Fish Traders’ Association.
According to sources, the decision was taken by the association after a vendor succumbed to Covid-19 and several others got infected. The traders have informed the local administration about their decision.