Dimapur business community asks shopkeepers, public to follow Covid protocols amid spike in cases

Dimapur, Jan. 14 (EMN): Alarmed by the sudden spike in Covid-19 positive cases, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dimapur (DCCI) on Friday reminded all the shops and business houses within its jurisdiction to adopt strict Covid protocols.

Maintaining that a collective effort is required to ensure the situation does not spiral out of control, the business body asked all shopkeepers and salespersons to compulsory wear masks inside the shops as well as keep hand sanitisers either on the counter or outside the shop.

The direction came two days after the state reported highest single-day rise of 199 cases in seven months, out of which 187 infections were in Dimapur. The city reported 77 more cases on Thursday.

Besides business people, the DCCI also requested the general public and customers to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour like wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in the streets and inside the shops.

The business community went on to inform that it won’t entertain any forms of fund drive.

“We also requests various unions, organisations or individuals not to undertake any kind of fund drive from the businesses community, whether selling calendars, souvenirs or other form of donation, as such forms of activities will not be entertained,” read the press release.

“Further, DCCI urges various Naga National Political Groups to desist from random checking and raids of godowns and shops on the pretext of searching expired goods or MRP.  As clarified on earlier occasions also, there are certain norms and procedures in regard to expired or damaged goods and items. The traders and shopkeepers have to store expired or damaged goods in godowns in order to get refund for such goods from companies. After due process, these goods are either returned to the respective company or destroyed later,” it added.

It went on to assure that punitive action would be taken against any trader or shopkeeper selling expired or damaged goods.