Hyderabad: Shops to operate on alternate days

Hyderabad: Almost after two-months of lockdown, the business establishments slowly opened their shutters following odd even numbering guidelines. With the State government further relaxing norms, on Tuesday the city witnessed proprietors cleaning and sanitising entire shops.

The shop owners who turned up to open their establishments were surprised to see numberings 1 & 2 marked respectively. They were a bit confused about the category they fall under and feared action by authorities if opened on a wrong day. While some others unmindful of this, started washing and sanitising their shops and other items like mannequins.

Major markets of city including Laad Bazar, Pathergatti, Madina Market, Hussainalam, Shahalibanda, Mallepally, Tolichowki, Abids, Kacheguda were back in action after 57 days. "Shops were marked in morning by the GHMC and the shops will be allowed to open on alternate days," said a GHMC officer of Charminar Zone.

"The small showroom owners controlled the flow of customers by allowing only two people inside while big showrooms allowed 4-5 customers," said Mohammed Zubair Patel, an owner of Aalishan women's wear at Pathergatti. "Now there will be no trial of dresses, no exchange and no return policies," he added.

"Those wearing mask only were allowed.", said Syed Ahmed, an owner of Readymade garments store in Kacheguda. Meanwhile, some of the shop owners did not open their shops as a mark of protest.

Mohammed Wahed, an owner of bangle store in Laad Bazar said "Our business has been affected in the last two months and even now there will be no business as hardly five days were left for Eid. We request the government to open the religious places and allow the devout to offer prayers while maintaining social distancing as only five days were left for Ramzan."