Jamshedpur traders to shut shops by 6 pm as city sees surge in COVID-19 cases

Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds meeting

Jamshedpur, July 28: With a surge in the number of corona positive cases, the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has appealed to the traders to close down their business establishments by 6 pm. The move will help to ease out rush in the markets. It has also decided to keep their business establishments closed on every Tuesday.

The district has crossed 1500 positive cases so far with 900 active cases. In the wee hours of Tuesday an 82 year old man and a resident of Bhuiyandih died at Tata Main Hospital (TMH). On Monday too two deaths were reported.

Ashok Bhalotia, president, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: �We have decided to shut down our shutters by 6 pm every day. Even if this does not help in controlling the spread of virus we are ready to go ahead for complete closure of our establishments. It is really surprising that the State Government�s ordinance also 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�.

The administration has also instructed that it will be mandatory for the taxi driver of a private vehicle to wear a mask. Spray sanitizer will have to be kept in a private vehicle taxi and should be used regularly.

In a five-seater private vehicle taxi, only two passengers in addition to the driver and in a 6-7 seater taxi, only three passengers in addition to the driver will be able to travel. At the time of traveling, passengers will have to sit on both sides of the seat, following social distancing.

It will be mandatory for passengers to wear masks. Smoking, and consumption of tobacco will be prohibited by travellers during the journey. Passengers and drivers have been requested to install the Arogya Setu App on smart phones.

Meanwhile, Muslims in the steel city have been advised to offer prayers indoors for the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha, according to a circular issued by the administration.

The administration has urged management committees at Mosques that people should maintain social distancing norms and other hygiene parameters strictly.

“Eid-ul-Adha namaz shall not be held at any Masjids or Idgahs across the city. We request our brothers to offer chasht namaz from their respective homes along with family members. We request you not to organise any Eid-ul-Adha namaz in your locality or open place as this is not permissible,” said an official.