Kochi: Ernakulam market which was temporarily closed due to COVID-19 transmission will start functioning from Tuesday onwards. The decision to open the market was taken following the discussion between the joint committee of merchants’ organisations, district collector and police commissioner. The market was closed on June 30 after employees in some shops tested COVID positive.
Earlier, the district authority also granted permission to open the market as no new COVID positive cases were reported from the market for more than two weeks. But the reopening of the market was delayed as there was a disagreement over the conditions put forward by the authority to open the market. Finally, the meeting held by the people's representatives decided to open the market.
As per the decision in the meeting, only half of the shops will be allowed to function at a time in the market. Earlier, police put a condition that only one-third of shops in the market will be allowed to function. The merchants demanded that two separate gates for entry and exit should be arranged in the market. G Karthikeyan, spokesperson of merchants’ association told mathrubhumi.com that the discussions in this regard are on progress.
“At present, two gates for entry and exit are arranged at the vegetable market. Now the discussions are progressing to arrange another entry and exit to other areas of the market including broadway. The market will function completely adhering to the COVID-19 protocol under police surveillance,” explained Karthikeyan.
Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden and MLA TJ Vinod took the effort to settle the issue over reopening of the market, he added.
The market will function with the shops on right and left sides opening on alternative days. There will be strict restrictions on allowing people to enter the market at a time. Vehicles carrying the load to fruits and vegetable market will be allowed to enter from 3 am to 7 am. The fruits and vegetable market will be operational till 11 am.
Other shops including grocery shops are directed to open after closing the shops at fruits and vegetable market. Shops at broadway, Jew street and market road are included in this list of shops. These shops are allowed to function from 11 am to 6.30 pm.
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