Some shopping malls, markets reopen amid virus fear

As government has permitted to keep shopping malls and markets open on a limited scale from today, some reopened while some kept their businesses shut due to virus transmission fears.

Market owners in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chandpur, Feni and a significant number of them in Chattogram and Dhaka have decided to keep their businesses shut until Eid-ul-Fitr to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Most shopping malls in the capital will remain closed for now considering the present coronavirus situation, according to Bangladesh Shop Owners Association (BSOA).

BSOA president Helal Uddin said most of the shopping malls and markets, including the busiest markets in Gulistan, Bangabazar and Mirpur areas will remain closed until Eid.

Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh and Palwal Market in Paltan area will also remain closed, he told UNB.

The authorities of Old Dhaka's Islampur Market, Chawkbazar, Keraniganj, Ayesha Market  at Jatrabari, Dhanmondi's  Rapa Plaza, New Super Market and shops at Elephant road area have decided to reopen the markets from today, he said.

Earlier, the authorities of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, New Market, Mouchak, Anarkoli markets decided not to reopen their markets, Helal Uddin added.

In Sylhet city, business leaders and owners decided to keep shopping malls and markets shut until Eid-ul-Fitr.

The decision was taken at a meeting on Friday attended by local business leaders and presided over by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury.

Everyone agreed to keep their shops shut until Eid, they added.

"It's a bold message to the government," said Sylhet Chambers of Commerce's President Abu Taher Md Shoeb, adding that life comes first.

In Chattogram city, 11 shopping mall owners also decided to keep their businesses closed until May 31.

They took the decision at a meeting at Mimi Super Market attended by business leaders of the respective markets.

The markets that will remain closed until May 31 are: Sanmar Ocean City, Chittagong Shopping Complex, Finle Square Shop, Central Plaza, Amin Center, Afmi Plaza, Akhtaruzzaman Centre, Singapore-Bangkok Market, Kollol Super Market, and Mimi Super Market.

In Rajshahi, City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, local police administration and local MP on Saturday evening decided to keep all the markets, shopping malls closed considering public health safety.

In Chandpur, Deputy Commissioner Md Majedur Rahman Khan in an emergency notice on Saturday night announced that shopping malls, markets, shops and businesses will remain shut until Eid as the new coronavirus cases are rising in the district.

Stern actions will be taken against the businesses if they violate the directives, the DC wrote in an urgent notice on his personal Facebook profile at 8:15pm.

The decision was taken by the district coronavirus prevention committee, he wrote.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Thursday asked city dwellers to complete their Eid shopping from markets located within two kilometres of their respective areas, maintaining government declared timetable and hygiene.

DMP also directed to install automatic disinfection tunnels or chambers at the entrance of every shopping mall. In addition, each store must have separate temperature measurement system.

The government on Tuesday allowed businesspeople  to keep shops and shopping malls open for six hours from 10am to 4pm every day from Sunday (today), after maintaining health guidelines during the general holidays.

Amid the surging new coronavirus cases, the government extended closure until May 16.

The government also decided to keep shut all the educational institutions in Bangladesh until May 30.