Social distancing norms thrown to the wind as people crowd markets

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

30.03.2020

Caution was thrown to the wind and social distancing norms were flouted at will as hundreds thronged meat shops and vegetable markets across the state on Sunday.

Encouraged by the government’s decision to open more shops and markets, people stepped out on to the streets in numbers. Huge crowds gathered at the meat shops of Nelpettai market in Madurai, while the Ukkadam fish market in Coimbatore saw hundreds of shoppers on Sunday. The Sivaganga bus stand, which was converted into a market, also saw a huge crowd.

Efforts of the police to bring in order failed as people ignored the white lines drawn in front of the shops and competed with each other to buy fish and meat. The decision to convert bus stands into vegetable markets did not serve the purpose due to the apathy of the public. “Early in the morning, people were following social distancing and stood in lines. But as the day progressed and a huge crowd gathered, people began flouting the norms. Since there were women as well, we didn’t wanted to act harsh,” said a police officer in Coimbatore. Traders at Ukkadam fish market too picked up a microphone and appealed to the public to maintain order, which again went unheeded. The only solace was that most people wore masks or handkerchiefs on their faces.

A woman health officer made a fervent plea through a public address system at Sivaganga, but to no avail. The narrow road leading to a government boys’ high school in Tiurvannamalai, which was turned into temporary vegetable market, was so crowded that police had a tough time regulating vehicles.

The complacency among public was evident at Southgate Fish market and vegetable market in South Marret Street, Thayir Market and the fruit market at Simmakkal in Madurai. As the warnings of police to maintain social distance went unheeded, cops were forced to close the road for traffic on South Marret Street. Still, commuters used alternative roads to reach the shops.

Madurai collector T G Vinay and corporation commissioner S Visakan inspected the markets later in the evening. Corporation commissioner said that efforts are underway to decongest the market by spreading out shops to various areas.

SAFETY LAST: Shoppers gather in large number