Bhubaneswar: To ensure COVID appropriate behaviour, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to decentralise markets/haats.
In an order issued on Monday, the civic body said that proper social distancing is not being maintained in crowded market places/haats of Bhubaneswar like Unit-I wholesale market and Unit-IV markets.
GUIDELINES:
1. The Zonal Deputy Commissioners of BMC will identify suitable places in consultation with the respective market associations and local ACP/IIC for conducting the markets/haats at decentralized places for ease of the public as well as for their safety. The places identified during the 1st phase and 2nd phase of the pandemic can be utilized this time again.
2. The vendors should sit sufficiently apart so that social distancing norms are adhered to by them as well as by the public.
3. The Zonal DCs to undertake demarcations/barricading so that COVID norms can be followed properly.
4. The enforcement teams of BDA/BMC with the help of local police to ensure proper enforcement in a periodic manner to ensure adherence to the guidelines.
Earlier in the day, the BMC had said that people found violating the COVID norms will be fined Rs 500. It had also urged people to wear mask properly and follow COVID appropriate behaviour.
Notably, Bhubaneswar now has 2823 active cases.
Fresh COVID cases in the city touched 142 on January 4 and there has been a consistent rise in daily infection since then with 341 cases on January 5, 400 on January 6, 638 on January 7 and 581 on January 8. The city saw a marginal fall in cases on January 9 with 574 cases.
