Traders in Kozhikode are unable to open shops as authorities impose stricter regulations. Covid edging
Kozhikode: Traders are encountering new challenges as they attempt to open stores in order to survive the lockdown. Aside from the already enforced Covid curbs, they are also required to follow the District Disaster Management Authority’s guidelines.
Because of this, even small businesses are unable to open. It has been mandated that shop employees receive at least one dose of Covid vaccine or produce RT-PCR or antigen test results within a month. Police officers have begun checking shops to see if the rules are being followed.
The district administration has directed that all police stations ensure that the rules are followed. To determine whether the shops are following the guidelines, a special list should be created. After discovering that some businesses had failed to follow protocol, the police shut them down.
Despite the fact that the shopkeepers and staff are willing to take the vaccine, the scarcity of vaccine has hampered their plans. In private hospitals, they must pay for the vaccine. However, the vendors are struggling to pay even the showroom rent and electricity bills.
Meanwhile, Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) state president T Nazirudeen has demanded that the government back down from its plan to forcefully close shops until the vaccine is widely available. He went on to say that traders should be given first priority for vaccination.
As the number of Covid cases continues to rise, Deputy Collector N Ramla stated that they have no choice but to enforce the Disaster Management Authority’s instructions. At the very least, the merchants should have test results. She went on to say that the police would make sure the rules were followed.
