‘Exempt malls, hotels from lockdown’

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Thanjavur, has sought exemption of big format shops, shopping malls/complex and hotels/restaurants from COVID-19 lockdown restrictions taking into considera

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Thanjavur, has sought exemption of big format shops, shopping malls/complex and hotels/restaurants from COVID-19 lockdown restrictions taking into consideration their precarious financial situation. In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, it said that many of its members were running supermarkets, electronics, textiles and ready-made showrooms, most of which fall under the big format shops category, and some of them were in restaurant/hotel business. Stating that the standard operating procedures (SOP) laid down by the government to check the spread of novel coronavirus has been practised at these establishments where only the asymptomatic staff were deployed for duty and customers are allowed to enter premises after complying with the SOPs, it said that the working capital and fund flow of these establishments would be hit badly if they were remain closed for a longer period once again.