Most city malls opt not to open

Although the government had announced that shopping centres and malls would reopen today ahead of Eid, most owners in Dhaka and Chattogram cities have decided to keep the establishments closed as the number of Covid-19 cases keeps surging in the country.

Top leaders of Dokan Malik Samity, a platform of shop owners, in Dhaka said the decision was made also as an untoward situation could arise when shop employees, as instructed by the authorities, including the police, would force shoppers to follow health guidelines.

On May 4, the government said it decided to reopen shopping malls, all types of shops and other businesses from May 10 on a limited scale ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr. Those would remain open from 10:00am to 4:00pm every day, according to a gazette from the Cabinet Division.

The shopping malls and centres were closed on March 25, a day before the ongoing nationwide shutdown was enforced to stem the coronavirus outbreak.

But on May 6, the authorities of Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and Jamuna Future Park -- the country's two largest shopping malls -- decided not to reopen them, fearing that the coronavirus might spread to their customers, shop owners and employees.

On Friday, another popular shopping destination in the capital -- Dhaka New Market -- also decided not to reopen before the Eid on the same ground, Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin, president of Dhaka New Market Business Association, told The Daily Star.

Talking to this correspondent yesterday, leaders of 14 other shopping centres in Dhanmondi area, including Gausia, Chadni Chak, Chistia, New Chistia, Noor Mansion, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Priyangon, Islami Mansion and Eastern Mallika, said they would not reopen as well.

Owners of wholesale markets in Gulistan, Phulbaria and Banga Bazar areas stated the same.

Aarong, a popular destination for many to buy Eid dresses, however, yesterday decided to reopen some selected outlets. It said special health safety measures would be ensured and that the decision was taken to save the livelihood of rural artisans and small entrepreneurs.

"To reduce health risk and ensure social distancing, Aarong has also, for the first time in Bangladesh, introduced an online booking system for customers who want to visit any shopping outlet. They can book their time slot at aarong.com and visit the outlet at their scheduled time for safe and comfortable shopping," Aarong said in a release.

Of its 21 outlets, two situated in Narayanganj city and Bashabo area of the capital, however, will remain closed as these two areas are considered as Covid-19 hotspots.

Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin said, "Following the government announcement, we had decided to reopen the Dhaka New Market today [Sunday] to save our livelihood. But we see coronavirus cases are increasing every day. Amid such a situation, most shop owners have decided not to reopen their shops before Eid."

He also said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the health ministry gave them various instructions on ensuring social distancing and hygiene at the market, but those would be hard to follow at the market.

"All shoppers might not agree to follow these guidelines and an untoward situation may arise if shop employees ask them to do so," he said.

Replying to a query, he said some 506 shops at the market employ some 3,000 people.

The DMP on Thursday came up with a set of directives following the government announcement. It said shoppers would be able to go to markets only if they were within two kilometres of their homes. The shoppers will have to carry ID cards or original copies of utility bills.

It also asked the shopping mall authorities to install disinfection tunnels and thermal scanners at the entrance to each mall.

Besides, the authorities of each shopping mall will have to ensure that no one enters the establishment without wearing masks.

According to the directives, no hawkers or temporary roadside shops will be allowed.

"Each store must have a separate temperature measurement system," reads the directive.

Talking to this correspondent, Kamrul Hasan Babu, president of Dokan Malik Samity, Gausia Market, said apart from the fear of getting infected with coronavirus, shop owners of different markets in Dhanmondi area said it would not be possible for them to ensure all the guidelines were followed.

Mohammad Bablu, president, Ismail Mansion Market, said they would not be able to do business if they had to remain occupied in ensuring those guidelines.

"That's why most of the shop owners and leaders of different markets in a meeting today decided not to reopen the shops before Eid, although it will deal a blow to our livelihood and earnings," he said.

SHOPPING MALLS IN CTG

Meanwhile, owners of 12 large shopping malls in Chattogram on Friday decided that the malls would remain closed till May 31 to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the shop owners' association and the traders' association.

(Mohammad Suman, our staff correspondent from Chattogram, contributed to this report)