Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 18: After remaining shut for at least 8 months due to COVID-19 pandemic, the weekly Sunday market in Lal Chowk was allowed to resume today by the authorities subject to the adherence to the necessary SOPs.
The move of resuming the market is seen as a bid to revive the micro economy of the Valley, especially in Srinagar which has faced the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic since March.
In the market, the vendors were seen wearing masks and face shields and mandatory distance was also maintained between the stalls in the market.
The police and other personnel were also seen roaming around through the entire day to make sure that the vendors, as well as people thronging the market, are adhering to the SOPs that have been issued.
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The vendors who had installed their stalls after a long time said that they were happy that they are getting to do business after they suffered huge losses due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdown that was imposed to arrest the spread of the virus.
“We are happy today that were allowed to resume the market. People have suffered immense losses due to the pandemic and today it is a bid to start it afresh,” said a vendor selling winter clothes in the market.
The rush of the people was thin in the morning until the afternoon, however, post noon the rush of the people reaching for shopping at the market picked up.
The vendors, however, complained that while they are adhering to norms, people visiting the market appear not to be taking the SOPs seriously.
“It feels good to be back and shopping in the market that has its own identity; these people have suffered more than anyone else, but they are back, but what is more important is that the people, as well as the vendors, should take due precautions,” said Junaid Mir a resident of Budgam shopping at Sunday Market.
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