Staff Reporter :
As government has permitted to keep shopping malls and markets open on a limited scale from Sunday, some of them reopened their shops in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna, while some kept their businesses shut due to virus transmission fears.
All the businesspeople in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chandpur and Feni and a significant number in Chattogram and Dhaka have decided to keep their businesses shut until Eid-ul-Fitr to contain the spread of coronavirus.
On the other hand, shop employees of Gausia Market in the capital staged demonstrations and blocked Mirpur Road for an hour on Sunday demanding their arrears.
Most shopping malls in the capital will remain shut considering the present coronavirus situation, according to Bangladesh Shop Owners Association (BSOA).
BSOA President Helal Uddin said most of the shopping malls and markets, including the busiest markets in Gulistan, Bangabazar and Mirpur areas will remain closed until Eid.
Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh and Polwel Market in Paltan area will also remain closed, he said.
The authorities of Old Dhaka’s Islampur Market, Chawkbazar, Keraniganj, Ayesha Super Market at Jatrabari, Dhanmondi’s Rapa Plaza, New Super Market and shops at Elephant Road area have decided to reopen the Markets from Sunday.
Earlier, the authorities of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, New Market, Mouchak, Anarkoli Market decided not to reopen their shops, Helal Uddin added.
In Sylhet city, business leaders and owners decided to keep shopping malls and markets shut until Eid-ul-Fitr.
The decision was taken at a meeting on Friday attended by local business leaders and presided over by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury.
Everyone agreed to keep their shops shut until Eid, they added.
“It’s a bold message to the government,” said Sylhet Chamber of Commerce’s President Abu Taher Md Shoeb, adding that life comes first.
In Chattogram city, 11 shopping mall owners also decided to keep their businesses closed until May 31.
They took the decision at a meeting at Mimi Super Market attended by business leaders of the respective markets.
The markets that will remain closed until May 31 are: Sanmar Ocean City, Chattogram Shopping Complex, Finle Square Shop, Central Plaza, Amin Center, Afmi Plaza, Akhtaruzzaman Centre, Singapore-Bangkok Market, Kollol Super Market, and Mimi Super Market.
In Rajshahi, City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, local police administration and local MP on Saturday evening decided to keep all the markets, shopping malls closed considering public health safety.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Thursday asked city dwellers to complete their Eid shopping from markets located within two kilometres of their respective areas, maintaining government declared timetable and hygiene.
DMP also directed to install automatic disinfection tunnels or chambers at the entrance of every shopping mall. In addition, each store must have separate temperature measurement system.
Amid the surge of new coronavirus cases, the government extended closure until May 16.
Meanwhile, Gausia market workers stage demonstrations and blocked Mirpur Road for an hour on Sunday demanding their arrears.
The agitating employees took to the streets in front of Gausia Market at about 12:00pm and continued demonstrations until 1:20pm.
Jewel Molla, President of Shramik Kormochari Union, said most of the shop owners at Gausia market did not pay arrears of the workers and kept the markets shut.
‘How’ll the workers survive during this coronavirus pandemic?’ he said.
Pointing at the market owners, he said nobody was thinking about the employees right now.
The agitating market employees alleged that some market owners decided to keep their markets shut even though the government had allowed them to keep those open from 10:00am till 4:00pm from Sunday.
The workers alleged that their shop owners did not pay their arrears.
Earlier, the authorities of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, New Market, Mouchak, Anarkoli Market decided not to reopen their shops, Helal Uddin added.
In Sylhet city, business leaders and owners decided to keep shopping malls and markets shut until Eid-ul-Fitr.
The decision was taken at a meeting on Friday attended by local business leaders and presided over by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury.
Everyone agreed to keep their shops shut until Eid, they added.
“It’s a bold message to the government,” said Sylhet Chamber of Commerce’s President Abu Taher Md Shoeb, adding that life comes first.
In Chattogram city, 11 shopping mall owners also decided to keep their businesses closed until May 31.
They took the decision at a meeting at Mimi Super Market attended by business leaders of the respective markets.
The markets that will remain closed until May 31 are: Sanmar Ocean City, Chattogram Shopping Complex, Finle Square Shop, Central Plaza, Amin Center, Afmi Plaza, Akhtaruzzaman Centre, Singapore-Bangkok Market, Kollol Super Market, and Mimi Super Market.
In Rajshahi, City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, local police administration and local MP on Saturday evening decided to keep all the markets, shopping malls closed considering public health safety.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Thursday asked city dwellers to complete their Eid shopping from markets located within two kilometres of their respective areas, maintaining government declared timetable and hygiene.
DMP also directed to install automatic disinfection tunnels or chambers at the entrance of every shopping mall. In addition, each store must have separate temperature measurement system.
Amid the surge of new coronavirus cases, the government extended closure until May 16.
Meanwhile, Gausia market workers stage demonstrations and blocked Mirpur Road for an hour on Sunday demanding their arrears.
The agitating employees took to the streets in front of Gausia Market at about 12:00pm and continued demonstrations until 1:20pm.
Jewel Molla, President of Shramik Kormochari Union, said most of the shop owners at Gausia market did not pay arrears of the workers and kept the markets shut.
‘How’ll the workers survive during this coronavirus pandemic?’ he said.
Pointing at the market owners, he said nobody was thinking about the employees right now.
The agitating market employees alleged that some market owners decided to keep their markets shut even though the government had allowed them to keep those open from 10:00am till 4:00pm from Sunday.
The workers alleged that their shop owners did not pay their arrears.
