Zirakpur residents, traders confused over restrictions

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 26

Four days after the Mohali administration imposed a weekend curfew and additional restrictions in all municipal towns and cities of the district to check the rapid spread of Covid-19, there is still a lot of confusion about the dos and don’ts among the residents, particularly shopkeepers.

In Zirakpur, many residents complained that they only came to know of the odd-even system in the markets on Saturday after they found shops closed. Some traders chose to open the shops despite the curbs, which created confusion.

“On some days, the shops are shut and on some days, these are open. There is no fixed pattern,” said Bhagyashree Sharma, a housewife and resident of Savitri Greens, Zirakpur.

Charanjit Ahuja, who owns an electrical shop on VIP Road, said, “Even police officials are not sure of the exact timings and the category of shops allowed to open on a given day. They just come and ask shopkeepers to close the shops in the evening when more people venture out.”

On August 22, Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan had ordered that, “the movement of individuals for all non-essential activities shall remain prohibited between 7 pm and 5am within the municipal limits of the district throughout the week”.

“The movement of persons and students in connection with all kinds of examination and admission/entrance test conducted by universities, boards, public service commissions and other institutions shall be permitted on the production of ID cards, admit cards.

Shops/malls can open from Monday to Friday till 6.30 pm,” the order read.