Bhubaneswar: Odisha Traders Association has decided to curtail business activities after 2 pm across the State from May 3 to May 15, informed association secretary Sudhakar Panda on Friday.
“In view of the gravity of the current situation, we have taken into consideration both life and livelihood and decided to close shops after 2 pm. There were proposals from many leading business associations in this regard,” Panda said.
“The business activities will continue from 5 am to 2 pm every day. Thereafter, it will be stopped. However, activities such as transportation, loading and unloading will continue even after 2 pm,” he added.
Panda said he discussed the matter with government through municipal commissioner yesterday and a final decision will come out by tomorrow.
“From coming Monday (May 3) to May 15, the shops will remain closed after 2 pm. We will not impose our decision and force anybody to obey it. The local chambers will hold discussion with traders and amicably try to make the decision successful,” Panda added.
As many as 8,681 people have tested positive for Coronavirus infection and 14 patients succumbed to the disease in Odisha in the last 24 hours. With this, the positive tally in the State surged to 4,44,194 while the death toll climbed to 2,043. At present, Odisha has 56,684 active cases while 3,85,414 patients have recovered from the disease so far.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)