Lala municipality finds innovative way to keep one-third shops open during lockdown

May 5: Following the state government’s decision to allow shops to open in green and orange zone districts, the Lala town committee has demarcated shops on the pattern of red, orange and green colours to ensure only third shops open on a particular day. Disclosing the plan of action, Executive Officer, Lala Municipal Board, J.Daimari said that in the two meetings held with the Lala Merchants’ Association, it was decided that shops would be demarcated on the lines of red, orange and green colours to make the process of identification of shops to be opened on a particular day smooth and hassle-free.

“The red shops will keep shutters down, the orange will open on the next day and the green ones to remain open on that day,” Daimari said, adding the arrangement worked out with the merchants’ association has dispelled all doubts and made things crystal clear. He said this system has been put in place to ensure ‘there is no gathering and social distancing maintained at any cost to break the novel coronavirus chain’. However, he maintained that this arrangement would not be applicable in the case of grocery shops, pharmacies and medical stores which are allowed to remain open on all days during the permitted hours.

The manner in which the arrangement is being made by the Executive Officer of the municipality has drawn appreciation from the denizens of Lala town. Daimary said as per the standing instructions from the state government, markets, bazaar or haats would remain closed within the municipality zone. The state government has decided not to allow any markets even outside the municipality limits to open till the nationwide lockdown remains in force.

Meanwhile, Circle Officer cum Executive Officer, Hailakandi Municipal Board, Tridip Roy has convened a meeting with Hailakandi Merchants’ Association on Wednesday to chalk out the ways to keep one-third shops open on a given day as per the instruction of the government.