Municipal markets will now be open from 8am to 7pm to ensure vendors are able to comply with the nationwide curfew.
This has been highlighted by the Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar who says that they have reviewed the operating hours of all markets around the country and have made the decision after consulting the special administrators from all municipal councils.
Kumar says as a government they had to prepare the private sector, so that they are not caught in this curfew.
Kumar says they had a lengthy discussion with the private sector to understand the nature of their business and also to understand why they need people to work after hours.
She says they came to know that there are a number of businesses such as call centres, service stations, security services, the manufacturing sector, pharmacies and taxis that operate 24/7.
Kumar says after having this discussion with the private sector they assured them that the curfew will have no impact on their businesses, except that they have to ensure that they follow the protocol, which is that when the officers leave for work after 10pm, they must carry a photo ID, and they should also carry a letter. That letter will be given to the Police Commissioner, as well, so that the police officers at the checkpoints will do their work in a proper manner.
Kumar says to avoid overcrowding at the market they made the decision to decentralize the markets and will now put up tents with the vendors in different areas in the neighborhoods, as well as in the cities and towns.
She says they can put up a tent in a park, where they can sell their vegetables and that will reduce overcrowding.
Kumar says she will be able to come up with the areas exactly where these tents would be put up, as well as in which cities and towns at a later date.
She says definitely within a couple of days, she should be able to come up with that plan.
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