Three markets in Bistupur and Sakchi were closed for three days beginning Monday after a directive was issued by the office of the deputy commissioner of East Singhbhum to the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), the urban local civic body managing the areas.
Concerned over the rapid rise in Covid cases, a joint team of JNAC and district police enforced the shutdown at Kamani Centre in Bistupur and the congested Sanjay Market and Tank Road shops of Sakchi
However, medical shops and grocery stores have been kept out of the purview of the shutdown.
The three markets have been attracting large crowds ever since shops were opened after Unlock 1. Hence, it was decided to keep them closed till July 16 to help in checking the spread of the coronavirus," said Ravi Bharti, a JNAC official.
Jamshedpur has seen three Covid deaths in a week, the last one on Sunday at Tata Main Hospital. As of Monday afternoon, the total count of Covid-19 cases in East Singhbhum had touched 671.
The upmarket Kamani Centre in Bistupur houses over a hundred shops selling garments, footwear, toys and books. It also houses offices and other business establishments.
Sanjay Market in Sakchi is a hub of garments, electronics and gift centres, while Tank Road has numerous shops selling various things.
JNAC special officer Krishna Kumar said the three markets have been attracting huge crowds and that few were adhering to social distancing norms. "This has increased the threat of the spread of Covid-19 which has already witnessed a spurt in East Singhbhum district,” he said.
Kumar said the decision to close the three markets was taken following recommendations of city SP Subhash Jat, who had given a report following an inspection in Sakchi and Bistupur.
Sources in the district administration said the Sp had handed over a list of 15 markets in places like Sonari, Baridih, Sidhgora, Kadma, Jugsalai, Parsudih, Bagbera, Mango and Chhotagovindpur, where social distancing norms weren’t being followed.
The district administration, the sources added, was reviewing the situation and may decide to close these markets too.
