Bapuji Nagar area in Bhubaneswar were sealed for violating COVID-19 social distancing norms

Bhubaneswar: 12/5/20: Barely eight days after getting permission, several shops selling non-essential items at Bapuji Nagar area in Bhubaneswar were sealed for violating COVID-19 social distancing norms on Tuesday.

A joint team of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) decided to shut the shops following rampant violation of social distancing norms. Senior BMC officials informed that most of the shops were operating without authorisation and had not taken any prior permission for opening their shops.

BMC’s zonal deputy commissioner, Anshuman Rath stated that majority of the traders had not taken any permission for opening their shops despite clear instructions that no shops located in a market complex will be allowed to open. Any building which has more than 5 shops is being treated as a market complex as per the revised guidelines issued by BMC.

“We were forced to seal the non-essential shops as social distancing norms were flouted. The shop owners had not approached us for opening their business establishments. We want to ensure resumption of economic activity but if the traders will not abide by the norms, we have no option,” said Rath.