AHMEDABAD/VADODARA/SURAT/RAJKOT: Retail businesses and markets are the first in line for closures when crowd control measures are imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Hit not just by the loss in business but also by the loss of lives in the fearsome second wave of Covid, markets across the state are amplifying preparedness for the projected third wave.
Traders across Gujarat are making all efforts to get their employees vaccinated at the earliest.
“We have issued a circular among various trade associations to encourage vaccination of traders and their employees so that they can have a measure of protection,” said Ashish Zaveri, a representative of Amdavad Vepari Mahajan.
“That apart, trade associations have also made representations to the civic body and the state government seeking vaccination camps for trade associations.” Zaveri added: “That will facilitate vaccinations for shopkeepers and employees.
They are the most exposed.” Last month, jewellers had also requested chief minister Vijay Rupani to have a vaccination camp organized for their fraternity.
Traders have still not forgotten the after-effects of the sinister second wave of Covid, which claimed many lives .
Though the government has relaxed norms, many continue to call in only 50% of their staff to work.
“To prepare for the third wave, the traders have decided to diligently uphold Covid protocols,” said a trade body member from Vadodara.
“While the big shops are following the 50% staff rule, those running small and medium establishments are ensuring that their staff wear masks and maintain social distancing from customers.” In Surat, while the diamond industry is following the guidelines issued by the government, the textile traders’ body has added a couple of more safety procedures.
“All traders are adhering to Covid SOPs laid out by the government.
We have also asked traders to keep a record of people visiting their shops to help with contact tracing,” said Manoj Agarwal, president of the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA).
In the diamond industry, all traders and manufacturers are following the 50% staff guideline, said Nanu Vekariya, president of Surat Diamond Association.
“Some 1,100 traders have opened the shops but we ensure that only 2-3 customers are allowed inside a shop at any given time,” said Mahesh Pandya, president, Lakhajiraj Traders Association, Rajkot.
With inputs from Jay Pachchigar in Surat; Nimesh Khakhariya in Rajkot; and Tushar Tere in Vadodara