Shopkeepers shall be allowed to operate only after having tested negative; shops to open side by side alternatively: DC Bandipora

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora Dr. Owais Ahmed has directed to allow only those shopkeepers to operate their business who have been tested negative and have attended mandatory training on COVID19.

In an order issued on Wednesday evening, DC Bandipora said no shopkeeper shall be allowed to operate his/her business without testing. He said the shopkeepers of the Bandipora town from Nussu to Kaloosa including Khadim Market, Shops on Ajar-DC Office Road shall operate on alternate days with shops located on the right side (East-Side) on one day and shops located on left-Side (West Side) on another day.

The Deputy Commissioner also constituted a team of officers headed by Tehsildar Bandipora who shall be responsible for the imposition of fines for not wearing masks and implementation of conditions laid down for the opening of shops in Bandipora town.

DC Bandipora directed the shopkeepers to strictly ensure that they shall display their negative test reports and certificate of having attended COVID19 training on the entry of the shop and shall keep a record of the customers with basic details on daily basis.

The shopkeepers have also been directed to ensure adequate social distancing in customers and shall keep sanitzers on the front desk of the shop besides keeping masks available in the shop. DC directed the shopkeepers, not to sold items to those customers who come without wearing masks.

Dr. Owais urged the shopkeepers to cooperate with the district administration to ensure the spread of virus is prevented. The shops shall remain closed on Sundays and the business hours shall be from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Night curfew shall continue to remain in place in the district.

He appealed the people of Bandipora town to cooperate with the Medical teams dealing with COVID by offering themselves for testing for the wellbeing of the society. He asked the shopkeepers to voluntarily come forward for testing so as to be assured that everyone is safe in the area. He said there are apprehensions that positive cases may have engaged with neighbors and friends and transmitted the virus to them and hence testing is important for the well being of the people.

DC Bandipora said the use of masks has become very important in the current scenario besides maintain other health hygiene and social distancing. He said the precautionary measures are the only solution to break the chain of the spread of the virus. He said the situation may go out of hands if the people do not adopt the precautionary measures as witnesses in some parts of the country