Lockdown: Shops stay closed, footfall dips at Golden Temple

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 9

Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in the city following the weekend lockdown on Sunday.

Public transport, including BRTS remained off the road, however, private vehicles were seen on the roads and some violated the guidelines by having two occupants in a car and pillion riders on two-wheelers.

Supply of essentials, including grocery, vegetables, milk, bakery items and cooked food remain undisrupted during the lockdown. The administration had allowed only wholesalers in fruit and vegetable market.

Footfall of devotees at the Golden Temple and other religious shrines also witnessed decline this time.

Though there was a call of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha to shopkeepers to open their shops, but no one in the city responded to their call.

The district administration has allowed market associations to open 50 per cent shops in every market on rotational basis during weekdays. There would be complete lockdown on weekends and all commercial establishments would stay shut.

Residents were also cooperating with the authorities during the lockdown. Jatinderpal Singh, a resident, said, “Instead of complete lockdown, the weekend lockdown and night curfew is a better option. There should be no disruption in supply of essential items and works should not be affected. If the government found that it’s the only solution to break the chain, then there is no issue with the weekend lockdown.”

Manpreet, another resident, said, “The government should uplift health infratsructure instead of imposing the lockdown. Some study to be conducted to observe results of the lockdown. Residents are in financial crisis due to the restrictions.”

Cabinet minister OP Soni urged residents to stay indoors and follow health guidelines in order to tackle the virus.