Nagpur malls warned for allowing un-vaxxed staff

NAGPUR: The nuisance detection squads (NDS) of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) have started inspecting malls and shops from Tuesday to check if the owners and staff are working after completing 14 days post the second dose. During the first visit, a warning is being issued and action will be taken on the second.

NMC additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi told TOI that the NDS is starting with inspection of malls. “Most of the staff at VR Mall, Empress Mall, Big Bazaar at Sitabuldi, Poonam Mall, Central Mall, Ginger Mall, Fortune Mall and Vishal Mega Mart had not taken the second dose. They were warned,” he said.
Joshi said a few shops too were inspected. “Offices, restaurants etc will be covered in a phased manner,” he said.
The NMC held a meeting with representatives of malls on Tuesday. “They said most staff have taken the first dose and are awaiting due date after the rule change. I suggested that those who have not taken even a single shot should get Covaxin or Sputnik V as the gap between two doses is less,” he said.
Joshi also said directives have been given to all malls not to allow staff who yet to complete 14 days from second dose. “We will have to implement whatever directives came from the government.”
The government had allowed almost all commercial activities and increased timings to 10pm from August 15 with a rider that those vaccinated should have completed 14 days from the second dose.
Despite the new norms, there is no increase in the number of beneficiaries. 15,941 people took the jab in the city on Tuesday — 15,313 in NMC’s centres and 628 in private. The inoculation rate was around 20,000-30,000 per day between June 23 (when vaccination resumed for 18-44 years age group) and August 14, excluding a few days. The NMC was expecting a rise in the number.
Meanwhile, the civic body has continued inoculation of bedridden people with 280 vaccinated till Tuesday.
The civic chief on Tuesday issued an order allowing people below 18 years entry into malls with age proof. The government had relaxed the new norm for below 18 as they are yet to be made eligible for vaccination.