BHOPAL: Traders have demanded that at least grocery shops in colonies should be opened from June 1 onwards even if markets are not opened so that people get their grocery items easily. However, the main demand is that the markets should be opened uniformly in the state capital.

As a matter of fact, if the positivity rate comes down below 5 per cent, the administration will unlock in a graded manner in particular districts. Otherwise, lockdown will continue. In Bhopal, the positivity rate is 5.5 per cent. So, it is a very close call. There will be a final meeting on May 31 about unlocking the state.

Assess for about 15 days

"Even if the positivity rate doesnít come down below 5 per cent, the district administration should at least open the grocery shops for a minimum of eight hours so that people can buy the items easily. Itís been a very long lockdown from April 10. After assessing for about one week or 15 days, a decision should be taken on the other markets in the state capital." Anupam Agrawal, general secretary, Thok Bazaar Vyapari Mandal

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Actual figures are lower

"The corona positivity rate is above 5 per cent in Bhopal, but the main reason is that the rural areas are contributing to this. The actual figures for Bhopal will be less than 5 per cent; so, considering this, markets should be uniformly opened from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm so that people can buy the essentials. BMC should impose a spot fine on traders in a market in case anyone is found dumping garbage on the roads." -Ajay Dewnani, general secretary, New Market traders Association

Graded unlock process- DME minister Vishwas Sarang said that grocery shops and saloons will be opened, while restaurants, hotels and malls will remain closed. However, exercises are still on to minimise the number of corona cases in the state capital. The unlock process will be carried out in a graded manner. Entire Bhopal will be divided into three zones- Red, Orange and Green, depending on the number of corona cases.

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