As businesspeople have been permitted to keep shopping malls and markets open on a limited scale from Sunday (May 10), some of them reopened their shops in different parts of the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram, while some kept their businesses shut due to virus fear.
A significant number of them in Chattogram and Dhaka have decided to keep their businesses shut until Eid-ul-Fitr to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), local media reported.
Most shopping malls in the capital will remain shut for now considering the present coronavirus situation, according to Bangladesh Shop Owners Association (BSOA).
BSOA president Helal Uddin told media that most of the shopping malls and markets, including the markets in Gulistan, Bangabazar, Naya Paltan, Shahbagh and Mirpur areas will remain closed until Eid.
The authorities of old Dhaka's Islampur Market, Chawkbazar, Keraniganj, Ayesha Market at Jatrabari, Dhanmondi’s Rapa Plaza, Dhaka New Super Market and shops at Elephant Road area in the city have decided to reopen the markets from today, he said.
Earlier, the authorities of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka's busiest New Market, Mouchak, Anarkoli markets have decided not to reopen their markets, BSOA president added.
In Sylhet city, business owners decided to keep shopping malls and markets shut until Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was taken at a meeting on Friday attended by local business leaders and presided over by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, reports said.
In Chattogram city, 11 shopping mall owners also decided to keep their businesses closed until May 31 in the city. The markets will remain closed until May 31 are – Sanmar Ocean City, Chittagong Shopping Complex, Finle Square Shop, Central Plaza, Amin Center, Afmi Plaza, Akhtaruzzaman Centre, Singapore-Bangkok Market, Kollol Super Market, and Mimi Super Market.
In Rajshahi, City Corporation Mayor A H M Khairuzzaman Liton, local police administration and local MP on Saturday decided to keep all the markets, shopping malls closed considering public health safety.
In Chandpur, Deputy Commissioner Md Majedur Rahman Khan in an emergency notice on Saturday night announced that shopping malls, markets, shops and businesses will remain shut until Eid as the Covid-19 cases are rising in the district.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Thursday asked city dwellers to complete their Eid shopping from markets located within two kilometres of their respective areas maintaining government declared timetable and hygiene.
The DMP also directed to install automatic disinfection tunnels or chambers at the entrance of every shopping mall. In addition, each store must have separate temperature measurement system.
The government on Tuesday allowed businesspeople to keep shops and shopping malls open for six hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from Sunday, after maintaining health guidelines during the general holidays.
Amid the surging new coronavirus cases, the government extended general holidays until May 16. The government also decided to keep shut all the educational institutions in Bangladesh until May 30.
Health experts also warned that the reopening of shops and shopping malls ahead of Eid will lead to a rise in coronavirus cases.
A large number of people in Dhaka opposed the market reopening. They took their social media walls and promised that they will not go to shopping malls risking their lives.
The authorities of two largest shopping malls in the capital – Bashundhara City and Jamuna Future Park – decided not to reopen their markets.
Bangladesh has so far confirmed 14,657 coronavirus cases and 228 deaths.
