Traders seek overhaul of COVID-19 management system in Kerala

‘Concept of weekend lockdowns should be done away with’

A section of traders have now decided to follow what they called “a path of consensus, not confrontation” to persuade the government to open shops on all days of the week. They have sought an overhaul of the COVID-19 management system and constitution of an expert panel to deal with the current crisis. This was decided by the functionaries of the Malabar Development Council, the Wayanad Chamber of Commerce, and other organisations at a meeting at Kalpetta in Wayanad district on Tuesday. C.E. Chakkunni, functionary of the forum, said that the current management of the pandemic was faulty. The government should speed up vaccination and complete it as early as possible, he added. E.P. Mohandas, secretary, Wayanad Chamber of Commerce, said the government should allow traders to open shops on more days and for more hours in line with the pandemic protocol to reduce the rush of people. Offices and banks should also increase their working hours. The concept of weekend lockdowns should be done away with, he added.