Shopping mall closed for four hrs in capital
China Town shopping mall in Dhaka's Paltan area was shut down for around four hours after its authorities failed to follow health safety rules yesterday morning.
Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity, an association of shop owners, shut down the market around 9:30am after its leaders found violation of health rules there.
"Many shopkeepers were seen without masks; shopkeepers and customers were seen using both gates for exit and entry, and maintaining no physical distance," Helal Uddin, president of the association, told The Daily Star.
He said, "We have adopted zero tolerance in this regard. There is no chance to operate any mall without maintaining health rules. We will continue our drives."
Helal, however, said they later allowed the authorities to open the market after they pledged to ensure health rules.
Meanwhile, two executive magistrates carried out drives against those violating health directives at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall and New Market area.
The drives began around noon. The executive magistrates visited shops and fined shopkeepers and customers who were not wearing masks.
Around 12:45pm, executive magistrate Sanjib Das fined Asian Jewellers in New Market Tk 500 after the mobile court found one of its employees without mask.
The magistrate said he fined a very insignificant amount of money as they are conducting drives to raise awareness.
He, however, warned that the mobile court would slap a hefty fine for similar offence for the second time.
Later, talking to reporters, Sanjib said they found almost all shopkeepers and customers wearing masks in the shopping complex.
"Our aim is not to fine but to raise awareness about following health rules," he said.
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