The fear factor seems to have disappeared from most of the people's minds about Covid-19 after more shops were opened following Unlock - 3 in the steel city.

During the first half of Thursday, after more shops like clothes, cosmetics, jewellery and shoes were opened, marketplaces started bustling with shoppers.

A common sight at the markets in Sakchi and Bistupur was a large number of people either without masks or wearing them just below their nose and even chin.

At most shops, the customers were seen evading social distancing norms, especially by the women at the jewellery and cosmetics stores.

"About two months have passed since the lockdown was imposed. I was looking forward eagerly when the cosmetic shops will be opened again. As the shops are permitted to remain open till 4 pm only, I came out for the shopping in the morning, "said Anita Shrivastav, a resident of South Park in Bistupur, to The Telegraph Online.

Like Anita, several women and girls were found to be on a buying spree at ladies garment shops, jewellery shops and cosmetic shops at Bistupur market despite drizzling continued in the city throughout the day.

Significantly, till Wednesday when limited shops, including medical stores, grocery shops besides motor garage as well as hardware stores were operating, the marketplaces were much less crowded and people were also wearing masks.

Additional district magistrate (law and order), Nand Kishore Lal said if the people evade wearing masks at the marketplace and on the streets after Unlock - 3, then, it is a very dangerous thing to happen.

"Let the administration take stock of the situation. We will start carrying out surprise inspections at the markets from tomorrow and slap penalty on those who will be found flouting the Covid norms, "said Lal to The Telegraph Online.

The additional district magistrate said allowing some more shops to reopen does not mean that the pandemic has disappeared from the city.