CHENNAI: Some people never learn. The markets at Chintadripet, Villivakkam and Otteri didn’t see huge crowds because police had cracked down on movement of vehicles, but most of the shoppers ignored social distancing norms and few wore masks.
Around 10 am at Otteri, several senior citizens, who come under the high-risk category, could be seen without masks busy buying vegetables. People thronged the market till 2pm as Sunday is a total lockdown.
At Chintadripet temporary market, the vendors complained business was poor. Since it was Amavasya many people would fast and conduct pujas at home, but they also looked for fresh vegetables as shops would be shut on Sunday.
“Many roadside vendors haven’t visited the streets due to lockdown. So we decided to go and buy vegetables ourselves,” said R Sivan, a resident of Choolaimedu. Despite the fear of Covid-19, customers continued to ignore social distancing norms.
The crowds were also thinner since the fish markets were closed at Chintadripet and Otteri. But, despite the corporation’s efforts to ensure mini vans visited all zones with fruits and vegetables, many continued to visit the markets. “It is not wrong to go buy vegetables. However, people are not following social distancing norms and aren’t wearing masks,” said a corporation official.
S Chandran, Vegetable market federation, general secretary said, “The crowds were much thinner. In almost all markets there is 20 feet gap between shops. But due to the lockdown announcement, 50% of the trucks are stuck. We are hopeful of clearing this stock only on Monday as Sunday is a total lockdown. None of the retailers and traders came today. The crowd you see is just 25%. Because two-wheelers weren’t allowed even local grocery shop owners did not turn up. How much can one carry and how long can a person walk,” he asked.
The cavalier attitude at markets had created the infamous Koyambedu cluster, which had infected other districts too. More than 4,480 people including vendors of the wholesale market and their contacts were infected since April 25.
Around 10 am at Otteri, several senior citizens, who come under the high-risk category, could be seen without masks busy buying vegetables. People thronged the market till 2pm as Sunday is a total lockdown.
At Chintadripet temporary market, the vendors complained business was poor. Since it was Amavasya many people would fast and conduct pujas at home, but they also looked for fresh vegetables as shops would be shut on Sunday.
“Many roadside vendors haven’t visited the streets due to lockdown. So we decided to go and buy vegetables ourselves,” said R Sivan, a resident of Choolaimedu. Despite the fear of Covid-19, customers continued to ignore social distancing norms.
The crowds were also thinner since the fish markets were closed at Chintadripet and Otteri. But, despite the corporation’s efforts to ensure mini vans visited all zones with fruits and vegetables, many continued to visit the markets. “It is not wrong to go buy vegetables. However, people are not following social distancing norms and aren’t wearing masks,” said a corporation official.
S Chandran, Vegetable market federation, general secretary said, “The crowds were much thinner. In almost all markets there is 20 feet gap between shops. But due to the lockdown announcement, 50% of the trucks are stuck. We are hopeful of clearing this stock only on Monday as Sunday is a total lockdown. None of the retailers and traders came today. The crowd you see is just 25%. Because two-wheelers weren’t allowed even local grocery shop owners did not turn up. How much can one carry and how long can a person walk,” he asked.
The cavalier attitude at markets had created the infamous Koyambedu cluster, which had infected other districts too. More than 4,480 people including vendors of the wholesale market and their contacts were infected since April 25.
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