Businesses of New Market in the capital will not reopen ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr due to the risk of widespread transmission of Covid-19.

Dhaka New Market Traders Association announced the decision on Friday night as the majority of owners were reluctant to reopen their shops.

Dewan Aminul Islam, president of Dhaka New Market Traders Association, said that they took the decision to keep the market shut after considering the opinion of all the shop owners and the executive committee.

“However, the traders are uncertain whether they can make any profit by opening the shops”, he added.

The government has decided to reopen markets and shopping malls from Sunday, on a limited scale, adhering to health guidelines.

On May 4, the commerce ministry issued a press release saying the shops and markets can be kept open from 10 am to 4 pm daily following the health guidelines.

However, many shop owners have supported the decision, considering the economy ahead of Eid; while others have said they will not reopen their stores, considering the potential health risks to the public.

Earlier on Thursday, authorities of Bashundhara Shopping Complex and Jamuna Future Park declared to keep the market shut.

City’s Mouchak, Anarkali and Motalib Plaza also remain closed. They also decided not to reopen markets from Sunday considering the risk of coronavirus infection.

Besides, traders of Gulistan and Fulbaria also decided not to open the market on Sunday fearing the Covid-19 outbreak.

In an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon at Bangabazar traders and shop owners took this decision.

According to the decision, Bangabazar Complex, Enexco Tower, Mahanagar Complex, Dhaka Trade Centre, Fulbaria Super Market, Sundarban Super Market, Zakir Plaza, Nagar Plaza, City Plaza, Gulistan Puran Bazar, Banga Islamia Super Market will remain closed.

The traders said that they will keep their shops close until the corona situation to come normal.

Meanwhile, Gausia, Chadni Chawk, Eastern Plaza, Eastern Mollik, Gazi Shopping Complex including all shops in Elephant Road and the adjacent area will be reopened within a limited scale following the government’s health guideline