Traders fear losses as non-essential shops to open only on 2 days — Monday and Friday

Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 10

Residents thronged markets today after relaxations to open all essential and non-essential shops were issued by the administration. The relaxations have been given for two days — Monday and Friday — in a week. Some coaching institutes also opened offices despite curbs today. Most coaching institutes kept their shutters down while they functioned.

Meanwhile, markets including Adalat Bazaar witnessed far less footfall due to threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. There were almost no buyers at readymade garment shops, but there was a rush of commuters on city roads similar to usual working days.

Shopkeepers said they were forced to sell their products at low prices. “Some items might get dumped with the change in season. Products get outdated with time while others are perishable. We are facing huge losses because of the lockdown,” said a cloth shop owner in the Ragho Majra area.

Another trader pointed out, “We suffered losses when a lockdown was imposed last year. This year delay in development works, including re-carpeting of roads in the area, is affecting our business. The curbs imposed due to the pandemic have ruined our financial condition.”

Meanwhile, coaching institutes in Choti Baradari and nearby areas opened for classes despite restrictions on their functioning. A parent of a student taking coaching said, “My son parks his vehicle at a distance and enters the coaching centre. The centre’s shutters are pulled down while students attend classes inside. There is no issue as institute officials and students maintain social distancing.”