Kumaran Silks was sealed by the city’s civic body on Tuesday.
Chennai:
Kumaran Silks, a popular textile and clothing store in Chennai, was sealed off by the city’s civic body on Tuesday after a video showing a massive crowd gathered inside the multi-story showroom ahead of the festive season. , but in violation of the rules of social distancing.
“A store in T Nagar has been closed and sealed today as they allowed overcrowding and did not follow COVID-19 security protocols. Other stores of this type, which do not follow the protocols, will also be sealed. The owners of the stores stores and the public are requested to strictly follow security protocols. ” the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said in a tweet.
A shop in Tnagar has been #locked Y #sealed today as they allowed overcrowding and did not follow COVID-19 security protocols. Other stores of this type that do not follow the protocols will also be sealed. Store owners and the public are asked to strictly follow security protocols.#GCCpic.twitter.com/MncKIWxfIG
– Greater Chennai Corporation (@chennaicorp) October 20, 2020
The video that led to the closure of the showroom showed hundreds of people without social distancing being maintained. Several of those in and out of the showroom were also not wearing masks.
“These two are recipes for disaster. There are small incidences of non-compliance, especially by larger stores and establishments, which is very painful to watch. They must give or make sure that all customers wear a mask. They cannot allow 500 or 1,000 customers at a time. They should regulate, “G Prakash, the GCC commissioner, told NDTV.
The Tamil Nadu government had previously issued SOPs while allowing independent stores to reopen as part of a gradual unlocking of the economy. These SOPs include regulating the entrance to prevent overcrowding, the use of disinfectants and masks, and the maintenance of social distancing.
A senior official told NDTV that individual cameras or segments of large multi-story showrooms can have a maximum of five clients at a time.
However, many allege that authorities are selective in choosing when to crack down on these cases.
Last week, when hundreds of party workers flocked to the ruling AIADMK headquarters and splashed the road twice in violation of the prohibition orders, the police became silent bystanders.
No one was charged.
The DMK and Congress also staged protests in violation of prohibition orders and social distancing.
“It’s irresponsible of the highest level. I’m scared to think about how this would play out in the days to come,” said Anita Thomas, a local resident.
“Chennai has been opened. These violations happen in every store. Why target only one? It is also a holiday season and people want to go shopping,” said Geetha Padmanaban, another resident.
Meanwhile, Mr Prakash, the GCC commissioner, has said: “Political will is one thing that will take all these things to a higher level. We have made it clear that political parties must make their basic level clear, that it’s their reaponsability. “
Chennai’s coronavirus cases have been declining in recent weeks but with the arrival of the festive season, crowds are expected in shopping malls and major markets.
Officials have urged people to buy only if absolutely necessary, but it’s unclear, at this stage, how effective these appeals will be. The city, so far, has reported more than 6.9 lakh of confirmed cases, of which 1.9 are active and around 10,000 are virus-related deaths.
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