Delhi / Sarojini Nagar’s Export Market in Delhi closed for violating COVID-19 norms

New Delhi: Authorities in Delhi have closed the export market in Sarojini Nagar until further orders for "grossly" violating Covid-19 norms. The order issued by sub-divisional magistrate (Vasant Vihar) Ankur Prakash Meshram said during an inspection on Saturday he found that the market was "extremely crowded with Covid-19 norms being grossly violated and no social distancing being followed at all".

"...various directions have been issued from time to with regards to ensuring CAB in Sarojini Nagar Market, latest being CEO New Delhi DDMA minutes of meeting No.SDM/VV/2021/1935 dated 9th July 2021, and it has been found that market associations have not complied with these directions," the order read.

It said that even though Covid-19 cases have gone down significantly, due caution needs to be maintained. The order also stated that although a meeting with all the stakeholders of the market was held on July 9, they failed to comply with the directions.

The market associations of Sarojini Nagar have called a meeting on Sunday, reported news agency ANI.

Several Delhi markets, including Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar, have been closed over the past few days for overcrowding and flouting Covid-19 norms. Last Sunday, Sadar bazaar was partially shut for three days due to overcrowding and violation of physical distancing norms. The Delhi government previously ordered a shut down of Lajpat Nagar market and Rui Mandi in Sadar Bazar for violation of Covid-19 norms.

Delhi on Saturday recorded 59 Covid-19 cases and four deaths while the positivity rate dropped to 0.08 per cent, according to data shared by the health department. The four new fatalities have pushed the death toll in the city to 25,027.