Cox’s Bazar, Rajshahi, Ctg and Mymensingh markets not to reopen before Eid

Shop owners associations and market leaders of Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Mymensingh cities have decided not to reopen shops and shopping malls ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr considering the risk of Covid-19 spread.

In Cox's Bazar, businesspeople have agreed not to reopen markets, shops and shopping malls till the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The coastal city held a meeting on Saturday in this regard, where 18 markets' owners and Cox's Bazar branch of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and trade associations from Teknaf, Ukhia, Chakoria, and Eidgah took part in the meeting. All agreed to the decision.

Talking to The Business Standard, Cox's Bazar Markets Owners' Association President Mahbubur Rhamn confirmed the matter.

He warned that if anybody would want to reopen their market or shop ignoring the decision, they would be responsible for any lapse in maintaining social distancing; the association would not take any responsibility. 

The Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has also decided to keep all business institutions in the city closed until further notice. 

The decision was made during a meeting between administration officials, public representatives and the leaders of the organisation on Saturday. 

All members of the RCCI support everything that is needed to keep the city well, said the chamber's President Moniruzzaman Moni.

Such a big market could not be run maintaining health policies, he said at the meeting that was also attended by the city Mayor Khairuzzaman Liton.

The city's RDA market businessmen coordination council's General Secretary Sekender Ali said they received the decision regarding the closure of the market at night. They will implement the decision after consulting with traders.

Meanwhile, the markets leaders of Chattogram city have decided to keep four more markets closed until Eid-ul-Fitr after a meeting with Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mahabubor Rahman on Saturday.

The markets are Riazuddin Bazar, New Market, Tamakundi Lane and Zahur Hawkers Market, said a press release issued by CMP.

Earlier on May 7, the district Shop Owners' Association decided not to reopen two shopping malls while the number of such malls later went up to 10 the next day.

In Mymensingh, the Shop Owners' Association made the decision after a meeting with Mymensingh Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the city corporation's hall room on Saturday.

Confirming the matter, Aminul Haque Shamim, president of the commercial association, told The Business Standard that all kinds of shops and shopping malls except pharmaceuticals shops and other emergency stalls would remain closed till Eid-ul-Fitr.

The association formed a monitoring team in this regard, said Aminul, adding that the reopening decision would be made later after analyzing the coronavirus situation.