After 55 days, shops in Ludhiana open to lukewarm response

LUDHIANA: Though a huge rush of residents was witnessed in the city markets and roads as the curfew was lifted after 55 days, shops in Ludhiana received a lukewarm response.

Shopkeepers say that only about 10% footfall was seen on Monday as compared to the precurfew period.

With the Punjab chief minister lifting the curfew to give way to the fourth phase of the lockdown period, residents will be allowed to move without restrictions from 7am to 7pm.

Ghumar mandi market association president Pawan Batra said they are expecting better response in the coming days.

“We have deputed staff with thermal scanners at the entry points of shops and are also providing masks to residents who come to the market with a handkerchief covering their mouth. Also social distancing is being strictly observed in all shops and these are functioning with 33 to 40 per cent staff,” said Batra.

Dilpreet Singh, a resident of Wait Ganj area, said residents had been eager to throng the markets as they were stuck inside their homes for 55 days. “I stepped out to purchase grocery items but took care to avoid the busy streets.”meanwhile, traffic jams were witnessed in old city areas including Saban Bazar, Dal Bazar and Jagraon bridge.

SALONS, BEAUTY PARLOURS REOPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS

A majority of salons in the city reopened on the first day of lockdown 4.0 with precautions.

The precautionary measures, according to salon owners, included sanitisation of salons, allowing entry to only one person at a time, providing only essential services to customers by appointments, no walk-in services, limited staff, preference to online payments, etc.

The essential services, according to owners, are haircut, dyeing hair, waxing and threading.