The restriction on staggered / odd-even opening of shops in SAS Nagar stands lifted henceforth, announced Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan after a meeting with the representatives of Market Associations and the other stakeholders.In view of decline in number of active cases the administration agreed on to the demand of the shopkeepers and also permitted Private Offices to work with 50% staff in place of 33%.Giving the credit to the shopkeepers and the public in general for abiding by the COVID restrictions, the Deputy Commissioner said that restraining public movement to essential activities, staggered opening of shops, weekend and night curfew along with vaccination has to some extent helped to check the rapid surge in COVID cases. Since the pace of spread of virus has been curtailed so certain relaxations are being extended but this would be subject entirely to adherence of safety protocols. The Market Associations were told to appoint COVID Monitors for each market to ensure compliance to protocols.He also told the associations to ensure vaccination of their entire staff and contact local SDM for organizing Vaccination Camps at market level.
The associations were asked to sponsor/donate for COVID vaccine in state vaccination fund.It was informed that many markets are nearly 100% vaccinated while others are on road to it. Baltana Furniture Market Association promised a contribution of Rs. 51,000/- in the State COVID Vaccination Fund.In the meanwhile, SSP Satinder Singh cautioned the shopkeepers saying that “with increased relaxation comes increased responsibility; the shopkeepers have to prevent overcrowding, ensure wearing of masks and maintaining of social distancing’’. Non-compliance will invite challans and may even force administration to withdraw relaxation if it results in spread of virus.” On the contrary, if active cases continue to decline then some other relaxations may be considered at State Level.The Associations assured compliance to COVID guidelines, thanked administration for lifting odd-even shop opening restriction and requested for permission to open shops on Saturdays as well. They were told that permission to open shops on weekends falls in the preview of State Government and were assured that their request would be appropriately flagged at State Level.Besides others, Aashika Jain, Rajiv Gupta (both ADCs), Himanshu Jain, Kuldeep Bawa, Jagdeep Sehgal( all SDMs) and Ravjot Kaur SP(Rural) were present on the occasion.