Bihar: Shops shut in Katihar to break Covid chain

KATIHAR: All shops and business establishments, except the ones selling fruits and medicines, were found closed in the town on Tuesday amid rise in Covid cases. Movement of vehicular traffic was also thin. Police constables were seen manning traffic at several crossover points of the town.
Katihar DM Udyan Mishra had ordered complete shutdown in the district on Tuesdays to curb further spread of Covid. Only shops selling essential items were exempted from the order.
An e-rickshaw fitted with a public address system was seen making rounds of several localities of the town, such as Mirchaibari, Hawai Adda, Sharifganj, Mangal Bazar, Driver Tola, Durga Asthan and others. Badalji (35), driver of a vehicle, said Indian Red Cross Society is carrying out an awareness drive against the deadly virus in association with the Katihar Chamber of Commerce.
Jitendra (35), a constable who was handling traffic at Manihari Mor, said, “Movement of vehicles is below normal compared to other days. The town is witnessing a complete shutdown. Shops are closed because special restrictions have been imposed due to the second wave of coronavirus.”
Chotelal Mandal (50), a home guard jawan, said shops were closed and very few vehicles were seen on roads on Tuesday. Abhay Kumar Jha, another traffic constable, near the Collectorate, said people of the town have started following Covid safety norms.
Kamlesh Kumar, a coconut seller on Mirchaibari-Purnia Road, said, “Sales have dropped as people are not coming out of their homes. Drinking coconut water is healthy as it boosts immunity too.”