Eid Shopping Goes On Ignoring Coronavirus Risk

Eid shoppers have started to crowd on numerous markets and walkways in the city, despite the possibility of coronavirus infection, ignoring warnings from health experts to stay at home.

Whereas the general holidays were extended until 30 May, the government allowed businesses to hold shopping malls and markets open "on a limited scale" by maintaining hygiene and proper physical distances.

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

A few shoppers wear masks, but the distance required to keep coronavirus from spreading became literally impossible for the masses in front of walking shops.

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, Jatrabari's Ayesha Market, Dhanmondi's Rapa Plaza, Dhaka's New Super Market, and Elephant Road Shops were reopened after government approval, he said.

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 began to spread across the country, the authorities in some districts decided to shut down shopping malls until Eid.

Social distancing is practically difficult to achieve here at the Golden Super Market, where hundreds of people went shopping for Eid.

Shoppers throng makeshift markets on footpaths in front of Golden Super Market in old Dhaka.

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

Source: UNB