Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Aug 19: The deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district who also happens to be the district magistrate, under the powers vested to him under different sections of Disaster Management Act and The Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, finding it pertinent to take prudent steps under unlock 3 orders of the government, has ordered closure of the central market with immediate effect. He said that this action was found necessary to effectively control the spread of COVID-19, to follow rules over social distancing and in public interest. The closure order will be in force till further orders, and till then, the merchants who are already conducting business transactions at APMC Yard, Baikampady, have been instructed to continue to conduct their businesses there.
Central market (file photo)
The DC said that tough measures need to be taken to effectively regulate spread of coronavirus infection, in view of the fact that the number of people affected by this pandemic is increasing with each passing day. He has recalled that earlier, all the fruits and vegetable wholesale merchants were ordered to shift their business to APMC Yard, Baikampady.
Taking note of the fact that a number of merchants have begun to transact their business at the central market in the city, and in view of the possibility of large crowds coming together at the spot, and taking into consideration the need to maintain social distance, a meeting was held on August 17 with the officials concerned about the precautions to be taken. The report placed by the officials was studied in detail.
It has been felt that if the trade is allowed to be continued at the central market, there will be large crowds, trucks and pick-up vehicles, coolies etc will come there in large numbers, and vehicles brought by the general public also will choke the area where parking area is limited and roads are congested, and maintaining hygiene and cleanliness becomes impossible. Mangaluru taluk is the major contributor to the number of coronavirus infections in the district and during survey, it was found that people around the central market do not generally follow social distancing norms and move around without masks. As such, social distancing norms cannot be followed in such an eventuality. He has warned that violators of the orders will face legal action under Indian Penal Code and other provisions.