Markets may reopen for Eid shopping in Rawalpindi

District admin seeks recommendations from traders’ bodies

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi district administration is mulling over to relax restrictions further and allow markets to open for a limited time to let people shop for Eidul Fitr.

Sources in the district administration told The Express Tribune that the administration was planning to further ease the restrictions after receiving a positive response by the mosques on the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during prayers.

The sources added that the administration has sought recommendations from the traders’ bodies of city and cantonment areas and was waiting for the decisions to be made by Punjab and federal governments.

Meanwhile, many businesses in Rawalpindi particularly those dealing in garments, shoes etc have started delivering their products at homes.

Sources said that the administration was deliberating to mark circles in every shop at distances to ensure that people didn't step outside them until their turn.

Further, the administration intends to make it mandatory for the shoppers to wear gloves and facemasks in the markets while the entry of children and elderly people would be prohibited. Sources confirmed that the final decision in this regard would be announced by May 10.

Moreover, the traders' representatives including Sharjeel Mir, Naveed Kanwal, Ghulam Qadir also endorsed this while speaking to The Express Tribune. They said that they have submitted their recommendations on SOPs to be devised by the government for markets to operate ahead of Eidul Fitr.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2020.