Coronavirus in Mumbai: Confusion reigns over BMC's hawker 'containment' stratergy

Coronavirus in Mumbai: Confusion reigns over BMC's hawker 'containment' stratergy

The BMC on Wednesday banned the sale of vegetables and fruits, as also vendors, in its 381 containment zones to avoid community-level transmission of coronavirus.

Dipti SinghUpdated: Friday, April 10, 2020, 07:26 AM IST
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Coronavirus Mumbai | (PTI Photo/Mitesh Bhuvad)

Mumbai: Confusion reigned after BMC wards issued different orders over shutting of vegetable and fruit hawkers as well as other vendors. In order to implement 'cluster containment strategy', across the city Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on Wednesday, issued orders to the Mumbai police to shut down all vegetable/fruit’s hawkers across the city.

The BMC on Wednesday banned the sale of vegetables and fruits, as also vendors, in its 381 containment zones to avoid community-level transmission of coronavirus. In its order, the civic body said: "In spite of instructions by the BMC and the police, people are on road on the pretext of buying vegetables and fruits.

The BMC further stated that several people are on the roads in the 'containment area' under the pretext of buying essential supplies. In view of this, all vegetable and fruit markets, hawkers and vegetable and fruit sellers will be shut down in such areas as a preventive measure for reducing the effect of the pandemic.

If anyone is found roaming out his house or selling vegetables and fruits during the lockdown, action per law will be initiated against them immediately,” said BMC order. However, following the Wednesday order, wards issued circular of the same pertaining to their area.

However, while the majority of wards initially issued a circular stating a complete shutdown of shops and street vendors, they later retracted stating the shutting down orders are only for hawkers and vendors. Stores, shops selling essential commodities and pharmacist shops will remain open.

A circular from D ward stated a complete shut down for shops and hawkers from April 9 to April 14, while N ward ( Ghatkopar) stated that shops in a selected area will remain open only for two days.

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