Covid-19 norms flouted at Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, Sadar Bazar; onus on market association

New Delhi: With Coronavirus cases dipping in the national capital, several markets were thrown open for facilitating trade and retail businesses but unfortunately people didn’t pay heed to Covid-19 protocols and now have to pay the price.

Many markets including Lajpat Nagar’s Central Market, Sadar Bazar’s Rui Mandi have been closed till further orders. No shops can open till further notice.

“Lajpat Nagar market has been shut as Covid-appropriate behaviour was not followed,” said a government order.

An inspection in Central Market, Lajpat Nagar- II, Lajpat Nagar, was carried out by Praveer Kumar Singh, SDM (Sarita Vihar) and other members of Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) Enforcement Teams in the area. The team observed violations such as lack of social distancing and vendors selling food without precautions.

When markets can open: Here is what govt order says

The market association have been told to ensure that measures are in place, after which a review meeting will be held in order to decide when the market will be opened.

Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar market closed for flouting COVID norms. The market will remain closed until further orders. Lajpat Nagar Market Traders Association asked to show cause why action should not be taken against them for violating COVID norms: DDMA pic.twitter.com/2zsPGP8AzG

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2021

“The Market Trader Association is directed to ensure that all measures for ensuring adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour are in place within a day of issuance of the order, where after a review shall be taken regarding opening of this segment of the market. Further, the officials of MCD as well as Delhi Police are hereby directed that no street side/unauthorised shops are functional within the Lajpat Nagar Market Area,” said the government order.

The order was issued by the office of the District Management (South East).

Earlier on June 30. the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had ordered shutting down of main Laxmi Nagar market, Mangal Bazar, Punjabi Basti Market, Gandhi Nagar market all in east Delhi and Janata market in the Nangloi market area in west Delhi for not following Covid protocols.