Cuttack: Citing threat of COVID-19 spread, the traders in Cuttack have threatened to close Malgodown if the inhabitants of nearby Behera Sahi are not tested for coronavirus in the next three days.
Alleging violation of COVID-19 containment zone restrictions by locals of Behera Sahi, house to most of the workers engaged in the Malgodown, a major trading hub, traders association threatened to keep the shutters down from Monday and will not engage any worker from the locality.
Cuttack Chamber Of Commerce General Secretary, Prafulla Chhatoi today informed that an emergency meeting was held and all the members including the rice merchants’ association and the retail dealers association have expressed concerns over the fact that several locals were seen moving outside the containment zone flouting norms.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has declared Behera Sahi under ward 38 a containment zone following detection of COVID-19 positive cases recently. The containment zone restrictions have come into effect from today.
“It was found that several residents of Behera Sahi were moving outside and not cooperating with the health teams of the CMC and are reluctant to undergo COVID test,” said Chhatoi.
As per Chhatoi, Malgodown is the commercial hub and largest wholesale and retail market for several essential commodities. Traders of seven to eight districts of Odisha are dependent on Malgodown and there is a huge congregation of people every day.
“If Behera Sahi locals will behave in such a manner and not cooperate with health officials, we will be forced not to allow any members of the locality to work in the godown from tomorrow till their COVID-19 tests are completed,” said Chhatoi.
The traders’ association has given a three-day ultimatum to the administration to conduct COVID-19 tests of all the residents of Behera Sahi.
“In view of safety, we will close Malgodown from Monday till the containment zone restrictions are lifted if COVID-19 test of all residents of Behera Sahi is not conducted within three days,” Chhatoi added.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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