Shops open after 85 days, no rush

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 13

After 85 days of the lockdown, shops in the city centre Lal Chowk and adjoining markets opened on Saturday. There was, however, no rush of shoppers, mainly due to the rain and thunderstorms this morning and the standard operating procedures issued by the government.

“Today, hardware, furniture, furnishings and barber shops opened as per the notification of the district administration. We welcome the government’s decision as there has been a slump in the businesses not just in the past three months, but since August last year,” Aijaz Shahdhar, vice-chairman, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA).

He said they were taking care of the safety measures in view of the pandemic.

Shopkeepers said they were expecting a good rush of customers on Monday.

“The shops selling readymade garments, clothes, cosmetics, shoes, electronics and jewellery have been asked to open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We are expecting the rush to increase on these days. We have been suffering for the past 10 months,” said Ishfaq, a readymade garment showroom owner in Lal Chowk.

Even as the government guidelines were being followed at Lal Chowk and other main markets, shops in interior markets, which were supposed to reopen on Monday, had opened on Saturday.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also urged the business establishments to regularly disinfect their premises.