With safety measures in place, Noida's markets begin to welcome more shoppers in Unlock 1

During Unlock 1, markets around Noida have started to reopen gradually. At Sector 18, one of the busiest and most prominent marketplaces in the city, some activity has returned with most shops open for business. The footfall is still much lower than pre-COVID days but for the shopkeepers there, any business is a welcome sign.
A jewellery store owner in the market shares, "It will take time for people to trust again and come out to shop. That can't happen now when cases are still rising. But even then, we are getting customers every day and the number is increasing. It's promising."Many believe that the reopening of the metro – whenever that happens – will help this return to normalcy.

Across the road, the Atta Market is faring much better, however. The street market there is abuzz with shoppers again. The roadside vendors are absent but shops are open and footfall is increasing steadily, sellers say. Many stores have put in place social distancing markers, even out on the pavement in some places and the shoppers say they have decided to exercise caution while shopping there. "Usually this market is so crowded that there is no space to even walk. Now with fewer people here, it is a pleasant experience here. If you take adequate precautions and maintain social distancing, it shouldn’t be an issue. We have to learn to adjust to this," says Pratima, a Sector 34 resident.
The sale of masks and clothes is particularly high in the popular street market these days. Arun, a mask seller, tells us, "People aren't buying other accessories but the sale of cheap cotton masks is high. I sold close to 400 pieces in the last week."