Ahmedabad One Mall sealed after people found not following Covid-19 norms

AHMEDABAD: The solid waste department of the city civic body sealed Ahmedabad One Mall in Vastrapur after the officials realized that no social distancing was being followed nor people were asked to wear masks there.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) officials said that based on the information, a surprise check was conducted and they found that the mall authorities did not force the shop owners to ensure that the customers maintained social distance and even the people were seen not wearing a mask. Due to the Rakshabhandan festival on Monday, authorities had a clear indication that the footfall would be more.
Harshad Solanki, director of the solid waste department said, “When out team went to Ahmedabad One Mall, we found more than 5,000 people at a given time and there was no social distancing being followed. Also, many people were not wearing mask and majority of them had not covered their face properly.”
Rajiv Kumar Gupta, additional chief secretary forest and environment, who is overall in-charge of activities to control the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Ahmedabad said, “It is high time that the people of Ahmedabad behave with responsibility. The AMC has been able to contain the spread of coronavirus to a great extent but a responsible behavior is essential from authorities and spaces which are witnessing a large foot fall. The AMC will continue such drives on other commercial establishments.”
Harshad Solanki further said, “The top authorities, including Rajiv Gupta and municipal commissioner Mukesh Kumar has instructed the team to carry out surprise check and seal them if they are found violating the norms of social distancing among others. Each shop has been asked to ensure that there is a distance of at least three feet between two customers but this was clearly violated in Ahmedabad One Mall."
"As per the advice of the local administration, we have temporarily halted operations at Ahmedabad One Mall. We have been adhering to all the applicable safety, hygiene and social distancing norms and shall resume operations as per further instructions from authorities,” stated an official communication from Ahmedabad One Mall authorities.
The AMC in its notice has said that the mall authorities must disinfect the entire mall and submit the reports of rapid antigen tests of the security guards, housekeeping staff and other staff. Also, the authorities have been asked to give an undertaking that the social distancing and making wear mask compulsory will be mandated for the customers. Also the authorities will have to give an detailed road map of how they would be implementing.
A retailer in the mall said, “The business was getting back to normal after a long time and all measures were being taken. People were also asked to wear masks, but if they do not comply with the norms nor follow social distancing why should the retailers face the brunt and such disciplinary action. If AMC continues to take such action repeatedly it would affect the business which has already suffered badly during the lockdown.”