‘Enforce SOPS, instead of closing shops’

ICCI president says early closure will create more rush in markets

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday urged the government to take measures for strong enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in markets and commercial centres to curb spread of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic instead of considering early closure of businesses.

The apex body of the capital’s business community was of the view that any move to reduce timings for markets and commercial centres would be destructive for business activities and would be more harmful for the overall economy, an ICCI statement said on Wednesday.

Chairing a meeting, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said prolonged lockdowns and early closure of businesses over the past few months due to Covid-19 pandemic has destroyed a number of businesses and rendered hundreds of people jobless.

Ilyas said reducing business timings would create more rush in markets leading to further problems for the traders and customers.

In order to reduce rush in markets and commercial centres, he urged the government to further enhance timings for opening and closing of businesses so that people could do shopping as per their convenience, the ICCI statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2020.