Residents comply with lockdown rules

Coimbatore: Commercial hubs in the city wore a deserted look after stringent restriction imposed by the district administration to prevent the spread of Covid-19 cases came into effect on Sunday.
Except for essential services such as milk booths and pharmacies, commercial establishments were closed on Cross Cut Road, 100 Feet Road, Gandhipuram, Oppanakara Street, Ramamurthy Road, Saramedu Salai, Rice Mill Road, NP Itteri Road, Ellaithottam Junction and Thudiyalur Junction.
“On Sundays, street would be bustling with shoppers and road would be congested. But streets were deserted today. Although it is a loss for the business community, it is good for the people in the health perspective,” said G Selvakumar, an autorickshaw driver.
Although key commercial areas were closed, others witnessed normal activity. People thronged meat and fish stalls. While social distancing norms went for a toss at such places, people mostly complied with the mask rule. “We do not allow people without masks in shops, as it would affect other customers. However, it is difficult to ensure distancing as customers are not following it,” said a fishmonger at Ganapathy.
City buses plied as usual, but with a limited number of passengers. Bus terminals also witnessed less crowd.
Some businessmen voluntarily closed their shops, although the areas were not brought under intensive restrictions, to help the district administration fight Covid-19.
Vehicle movement was marginally low compared to normal Sundays as people avoided visiting friends and relatives due to pandemic fear.