Delhi govt declared closure of Lajpat Nagar market over Covid protocol violation

The Delhi government has ordered the closure of all shops in Lajpat Nagar’s Central Market and the Rui Mandi in Central Delhi’s Sadar Bazar wholesale market over alleged violation of coronavirus safety protocols.

The closer of these two markets has declared in two separate orders issued on Sunday by the district administrations of Southeast and Central Delhi. On Monday, six markets have been shut so far for not adhering to Covid-19 protocols. Among them, there was Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar, Gandhi Nagar market, Punjabi Basti market and Nangloi Market.

The additional district magistrate PK Tripathi said,” An inspection was carried out by the undersigned in Central Market, Lajpat Nagar II, along with Praveer Kumar Singh, SDM (Sarita Vihar) and other members of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour (CAB) enforcement teams deployed in the area, wherein a gross violation of CAB (social distancing within the shops as well as an overall market place, vendors selling edibles without using adequate precautions, etc.) was observed. In view of the above, it is hereby directed that the market is closed with immediate effect until further orders,”

The SDM of Kotwali Arvind Rana ordered the closure of the Sadar Bazar Rui Market citing the same reasons upon inspection. The order stated that due to a heavy footfall, shopkeepers were unable to adhere to CAB which may “cause super spreading of Covid-19”. The Rui Market will remain closed till Tuesday or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Earlier, on June 29, the Delhi government ordered the closure of markets in East Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar and adjoining areas until July 5 over alleged violation of Covid-19 safety protocols. On Saturday evening, SDM of Punjabi Bagh ordered the complete closure of the Punjabi Basti and Janta Market in Nangloi due to shopkeepers and the public not following the necessary health protocols. The order, seen by HT, stated that all shops in these two markets will remain completely shut from Sunday to Tuesday, including the weekly off on Monday.