Despite Omicron fear, residents throng Sunday bazaars in Ludhiana city

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 5

Despite the Omicron scare, city residents were seen shopping as usual at old Sunday bazaars by putting aside their safety gears. People were seen roaming freely in the bazaars without any fear, no social distancing was maintained and none of the shoppers were seen wearing masks, the essential protective gear against Covid.

Shoppers were seen jostling with each other to strike the best possible deal while caring little about the Covid protocol. Neither shopkeepers nor customers were seen following norms.

Symptoms of new Covid variant

• Sore throat
• Weakness
• Body aches

“I came here for winter shopping,” said a shopper, and when asked why he was not wearing mask, he said he is vaccinated and now there is no fear of Covid and he has stopped wearing masks these days.

Shambhu, who has a makeshift shop at Chaura Bazar said earlier he use to wear mask but now everyone is without mask so he has also ditched his mask. “If government makes it mandatory again, I will also start wearing it,” he said, ignorant of the fact that mask is still essential to wear.

Ashu, who had gone to a Sunday bazaar at Chaura Bazar for some quick winter shopping, said he was taken aback to see a huge sea of people at the bazaar. “I was wearing a mask but it was impossible to maintain social distance. I tried to buy some stuff quickly and came back as soon as possible,” he said.

Civil Surgeon, Dr SP Singh said despite cases starting to ebb, there is a greater need to be vigilant as the virus in a new variant is among us and everyone has to be very cautious.

He asked the people to continue to observe Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene.