Delhi Unlock: DDMA allows reopening of Laxmi Nagar market after written assurance to follow COVID-19 protocol

Two days after being ordered to be closed till July 5 for flouting COVID-19 norms, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday allowed the Laxmi Nagar market to reopen after getting assurance from traders that COVID-appropriate behaviour would be followed.

The Laxmi Nagar main market and other adjoining markets Mangal Bazaar, Vijay Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Jagatram Park, and Guru Ramdas Nagar had been shut on the orders of the East Delhi district administration for violation of COVID-19 protocol.

The development comes after the DDMA received written assurance from the market associations, Chamber of Trade and Industry and shopkeepers. The DDMA has directed the market association and Chamber of Trade and Industry to ensure that COVID-19 guidelines are strictly followed by the visitors as well as vendors, shopkeepers, and hawkers.

In order to avoid crowding, parking has been banned in and around the market, the DDMA said. "District Police shall increase the presence of its personnel and shall take adequate measures to stagger crowd movement in the market and ensure that the DDMA guidelines/SOPs are followed along with CAB," it said.

The DDMA has also directed officials to place a mobile testing van in the area, organise vaccination drives for shopkeepers, vendors and keep a strict vigil in the market.