Jamshedpur, Aug 17: In view of the rising number of corona positive cases and deaths in the city, the shopkeepers from Sikh community at Jugsalai, trade hub of Steel City, have decided to close down their business establishments by 3 pm. The move they said will help to ease out rush in the markets. The members of the community have also decided to keep their business establishments completely closed on every Sunday and Tuesday.
The decision in this regard was taken by shopkeepers during a meeting with the shopkeepers. From now onwards the shops will function from 9 am to 3 pm.
A shopkeeper Kunwardeep Singh said that in view of steep rise in COVID-19 cases they have decided to shut down their shutters by 3 pm every day. He said that they will also ask Sikhs of other parts of the city to support the call and help in making the city COVID free. He said that the traders are following social distancing and other COVID norms but still lockdown is important to break the corona chain.
�Even if this does not help in controlling the spread of virus we are ready to go ahead for complete closure of our establishments in order to save our city from the pandemic. Though the State Government�s order states that if a person is caught violating the rules of mask and social distancing, he can be imprisoned for up to two years. However, no check post has been made anywhere in the state for this, and people are still seen violating masks and rules,� said a businessman.
The number of COVID-19 positive cases crossed 3700 as fresh cases were again reported in the city on Monday. The city also witnessed three more deaths taking the final toll figures at Tata Main Hospital ( TMH) to around 137 till afternoon.
Concerned over the recent deaths in the city, the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce have demanded a complete lockdown in the city. �The situation is going out of control. Not only rising deaths but shortage of beds is also a matter of great concern. It is high time that the State Government take immediate steps to ensure complete lockdown. In view of spreading cases of coronavirus and deaths the Government must impose curfew across the state,� said a senior functionary.
