All shops, except pharmacies, to remain closed on Sunday

Restaurants have decided to join the curfew

21/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNNAI

The Koyambedu wholesale market complex will remain closed on Sunday, in view of the nationwide people’s curfew announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday night, as a measure to combat COVID-19.

About 4,500 shops in the vegetable, fruits and flowers market will be closed between Saturday midnight and Sunday night. The foodgrains market too will not function.

S. Srinivasan, president, Chennai Fruits Commission Agents’ Association, said that the market generally received about 800 lorries, every day, bringing in produce from different parts of the country.

They have been informed to refrain from visiting the market on Sunday.

“We are holding awareness programmes at the market with market management committee authorities and distributing soaps and masks. We have also sought screening facilities for COVID-19 at the market next week,” he said.

The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangakalin Peramaippu has asked traders in the State to support the Janata Curfew on Sunday.

“All shops, except pharmacies, will be shutdown on Sunday. There are over 21 lakh shops in the State and 4 lakh shops in the city,” said Ve. Govindrarajalu, general secretary of the Peramaippu.

Meanwhile, several city-based organisations working towards restoration of waterbodies have cancelled activities involving volunteers to commemorate World Water Day on March 22.

Environmental Foundation of India, an environmental conservation group, has stopped programmes for the last 10 days.

Arun Krishnamurthy, founder, EFI, said, “We have stopped eight events, including lake clean-ups, in the western suburbs, to ensure volunteers’ safety.”

The Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD), an all-India organisation of petrol bunks with over 54,000 outlet owners as its members, too has decided to support the Janata Curfew on Sunday.

CIPD general secretary K. Sureshkumar said that bunks would remain open with skeletal staff in case of emergencies.

The night staff will remain at the outlets and continue duty on Sunday, he added.

Restaurants have decided to join the curfew.

“When the Prime Minister gives such a call, it is our duty to join in the effort. There are around 1 lakh restaurants in the State with 50 lakh employees, all of whom will be asked to remain at home. We will shut shop on that day,” said M. Venkadasubbu, president, Tamil Nadu Hotels Association.