Shops in Mumbai’s municipal markets will now be allowed to operate on odd-even basis. The city has over 200 municipal markets including 16 private markets. In a circular issued on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that the shopkeepers will have to take adequate precautions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. The Shops in municipal markets have been shut since the coronavirus-induced lockdown. As per the circular the “Traders, vendors and customers will be required to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines while operating their establishments on both sides of these markets alternately on odd-even basis”.
The shopkeepers and vendors have to strictly adhere to the norms. They have been asked to arrange for masks, hand sanitisers and temperature screening equipment. The markets have also been instructed to appoint private security guards to manage crowd if needed. As per the circular only two people will be allowed inside a shop at a time.
Earlier, only essential shops in these markets had permission to open but now all shops in these markets except restaurants and canteens will open on alternate days.
The decision comes following requests from various traders and shopkeepers associations.