Eid shopping goes on ignoring coronavirus risk

Eid shoppers started thronging various markets and footpaths in the capital ignoring the risk of coronavirus infection ignoring requests of health experts to stay at home.

Although the general holidays were extended until May 30, the government allowed businesspeople to keep shopping malls and markets open “on a limited scale” by maintaining hygiene and proper physical distancing.

Hundreds of Eid shoppers were seen busy buying new clothes at Golden Super Market at Lalbagh Fort intersection in the old town and the footpaths in front of the markets.

Very few shoppers were wearing masks but the required distancing for preventing coronavirus from spreading was literally impossible for crowds in front of shops on footpaths, reports UNB.

Bangladesh Shop Owners Association (BSOA) President Helal Uddin Aziz said super markets in Shahabagh, Palwal Market in old Paltan, markets in Gulistan, Bangabazar and Mirpur areas will remain closed until Eid.

Meanwhile, old Dhaka's Islampur Market, Chawkbazar, Keraniganj, Ayesha Market at Jatrabari, Dhanmondi’s Rapa Plaza, Dhaka New Super Market and shops at Elephant road area reopened after the government’s approval, he added.

On the other hand, the authorities of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka's busiest New Market, Mouchak, Anarkoli markets decided not to reopen their markets, Helal added.

As coronavirus cases started surging across the country, administrations in some districts decided to keep shopping malls shut until Eid.

Social distancing is literally impossible to maintain here at the Golden Super Market where hundreds of people entered for Eid shopping.

Social distancing rules on footpaths shops are not being maintained in the capital which poses a risk of further surge in coronavirus infection.