Jewellery shops in Hyderabad shut till July 5 over rise in COVID-19 cases

In the wake of the massive spike in the coronavirus cases, jewellery shops in Hyderabad have been closed. The Jewellers association president Ashok Jain on Friday announced the closure of jewellery shops in General Bazar till July 5.

"General Bazar witnesses heavy crowd with people from various places come for the shopping and is very difficult to follow physical distancing. In the view of the customer's and traders safety, the decision has been taken voluntarily," Ashok Jain said asking the people to cooperate them to contain the virus spread.

The Secunderabad Gold Silver Jewellery and Diamond Merchants Association and other associations in Abids, Punjagutta and Old city have also announced the closure of their shops.

On the other hand, Laad Bazar in Charminar has been closed after it emerged as a coronavirus hotspot. Begum Bazar, Kishan Gunj, Maharaj Gunj, Bartan Bazar and other wholesale markets are also closed. As many as 5,000 shops in Ranigunj will also remain shut from tomorrow.

Three days ago, the textile association in General Bazar has announced the closure of all the textile shops till the first week of July. Sanitary dealers association in Hyderabad and Secunderabad have also decided to shut the shops till July 5. "All the dealers have agreed to close their shops to contain the virus spread," Deepak Gupta, the association president said.