Concerns over market despite opening of shops; affidavit sufficient for those who don't have documents

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Traders are worried that even though the Onam market has opened with more concessions, the expected trade will be lost due to restrictions.

According to the new order, only those who have been vaccinated, those who have tested negative in RTPCR test and those who have recovered from Covid are allowed to enter the shops. An affidavit is enough to buy goods from outside. Affidavits are not mandatory in shops near houses. However, in order to buy clothes, jewellery and home appliances this Onam, one will have to go inside the shops. That is why the business community, along with the opposition, says the order is unscientific.

Although the market was open for Onam trade yesterday, the number of people who came to the shops was very low. Police did not conduct an extensive screening yesterday. However, there are fears that if the situation continues like this, and if the police are stationed everywhere to impose fines, a lockdown like effect will be the result. All that was done yesterday was to write and display the norms in the shops as per the instructions of the police. Police in some places have banned more than one person from entering fancy and gift shops. It is alleged that even at busy junctions, vehicles were stopped and checked by the police.

If the action is strict

A good portion of young people will have to stay at home if legal action is tightened by government order. People over the age of 45 were the ones who received more vaccines. Most below that age were only given the first dose of the vaccine. While 1.49 crore people received the first dose of the vaccine, only 42.5 lakh of them were under 45 years of age.