Salem municipal corporation commissioner N Ravichandran ordered closure of meat and fish shops on Sundays with immediate effect and until further orders. “We took the decision as part of the Covid-19 transmission and protective measures,” Ravichandran said.
The commissioner said there were more than 500 meat and fish shops functioning within city limits. These shops are open every day and attract large crowds. “People failed to maintain social distance while buying the meat or fish,” Ravichandran said, adding that many were found not wearing face masks too. “We have directed shopowners to ensure that customers maintain a distance of at least two metres from others and asked them not to service people not maintaining social distance or not wearing masks,” he said.