Folks throng markets during relaxation period
Free for all as social distancing goes for a toss
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2020: Social/physical distancing was not on people's minds today when they came out to buy daily essential items during the brief relaxation of the lockdown provided by the State Government in view of Easter Sunday and Cheiraoba.

While the Government and Health Department had advised people to strictly maintain social/physical distancing, the advisory was not followed despite law enforcers trying their best to effect the safety advisory.

Huge traffic jams, long queues were formed in front of grocery shops, vegetable vendors and gas stations.

Folks throng markets during relaxation period

The lockdown due to coronavirus was relaxed from 6 am to 11 am with strict advisory to people to wear face masks and maintain social distancing when they come out to buy essential items.

However, many were seen without face masks today.

However at some places, local clubs, youth and police were seen strictly enforcing social distancing and other safety measures.

At Khurai Lamlong area, people were disinfected at the disinfection tunnel installed by MLA L Susindro.

People without face mask were not allowed by the police to pass the tunnel and buy essential items at Khurai Lamlong market.

All vendors selling vegetables and shop owners wore face masks.

There were traffic jams at all major roads.

Speaking to this reporter, a woman who came to buy vegetables at Khurai Lamlong market said that the lockdown has been effective so far.

Lauding the Government for imposing the lockdown early, she said that all should follow the guidelines of the World Health Organisation and State Government to stay safe and effectively contain the virus.

People must wear masks, wash their hands properly and use hand sanitisers.

Social and physical distancing is a must to remain safe from novel coronavirus, she said.

At New Checkon Tribal Market, volunteers of Tribal Youth Club and Imphal East police were seen instructing people to follow safety norms and enforcing social distancing.

People not wearing face masks were not allowed to enter the market complex, said Tribal Youth Club, general secretary Jim Chongloi.

All vendors were instructed to wear face masks.

Without face masks, no one was allowed in the market, he said.

Roadside vendors and grocery shops were also opened at New Checkon area, Old Checkon, Porompat, Konung Mamang and Hatta.

Even as local clubs in coordination with police were seen enforcing COVID-19 safety guidelines at some markets, a large percentage of people were seen not following social distancing and other guidelines at many markets and roadside where vendors were selling daily items.

When asked how they feel about the lockdown relaxation in view of Easter Sunday and Cheiraoba, a Government teacher from old Checkon said 'while the limited time provided by the Government is good, lack of security and safety measures may have devastating impact on the State's effort to contain the virus'.

"More than 40 percent of the people are not wearing masks and maintaining social distancing when they came out of their homes.

There is lack of awareness among the people about the impact and danger of the virus.

While relaxing the lockdown has given people time to buy daily essential items, lack of safety measures and security coupled with carelessness of the people may compromise the efforts being put in to fight coronavirus," he said.

Appealing people to strictly follow the safety guidelines, Imphal City Police, OC Maibam Sudhir told this reporter that many people with loads of vegetables and other items came at the Khwairamband market as early as 2 am .

However, the vehicles were turned away and made to return as there was no permission to open the market.

From 6 in the morning, many thronged the entry points of the market, however none were allowed to enter, he said adding there is lack of awareness among the people about the relaxation and COVID-19 safety advisories.

People were seen with small children when they came out to buy essential items which is against the advice of the health authority and Government, he said adding only one member of a family is supposed to step out of their home and buy the essential items.