Cuttack: Right after the first positive COVID-19 case was confirmed in the Odisha capital on Monday, citizens of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have ramped up techniques to fight the virus.
Supermarket Big Bazaar here has imposed restrictions on the entry of individuals. Those entering the premises are asked to wipe their hands with a sanitizer placed at the entrance. The same is being practised by many business houses in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
“I was really glad that the watchman at HDFC bank in Master Canteen asked me to wipe my hand using hand sanitizer,” said U S Mishra, a retired professor. “Every business establishment should do this,” he added.
Many eateries and salons are following the hand wash regime too.
“We have kept liquid soaps and hand sanitizers for all our customers and staff. Together, we can fight this virus,” said Asesh Das, owner of LePosh salon in Khandagiri.
The demand for masks and hand sanitizers have also surged.
“We had got five boxes of hand sanitizers. All were sold in just a few hours,” said A Pradhan, an employee of an Apollo Pharmacy store in Cuttack. The same is happening with N95 and surgical masks, said Pradhan.
Most citizens, however, are complaining about unavailability of masks and sanitizers anywhere. “I have been to nearly ten medical shops in Bhubaneswar. All have run out of masks and hand sanitizers,” said Priya Bishoi, a teacher.
A medical store in Cuttack, not wanting to be named, informed Odisha Bytes that people are hoarding masks and sanitizers for which they have decided to sell one per person so that everyone gets one.
The Commissionerate Police on Saturday carried out extensive raids on medical shops in Laxmisagar area to curb hoarding and black marketing of sanitizers and masks by medical shops.
Extensive raids were conducted in medicine stores across the twin city of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack to prevent hoarding & profiteering through the sell of Masks & hand Sanitisers. Druggists have been sensitised to be careful. Action was taken on the direction of CP @SarangiSudhansu. pic.twitter.com/c0auGYUXrY
— COMMISSIONERATE POLICE (@cpbbsrctc) March 15, 2020
