'No mask, no vegetables', say vendors in Tripura amid COVID-19 scare

Agartala, Apr 23 () Stepping up efforts to halt thespread of COVID-19, traders in Agartala have insisted theywould not sell items to customers who flout social distancingnorms or visit their shops without putting on masks.

At Maharaj Ganja market, a whole sale mart forvegetables in the city, a display board has been put upoutside the entry point stating that customers without maskswould not be entertained.

Nakul Das, a member of 'Maharajganj Bazaar SabzeeByabsayi Samiti' (vegetable vendors' association) said,"Wholesalers and retailers, during a meeting, have decidedthat they will strictly abide by the norms laid down by thegovernment. No exceptions will be made."

Gouranga Pal, a vegetable vendor at the market, saidhe has turned down requests of several customers over the pastfew days as they "refused to follow social distancing norms".

"We have decided to sell our products only to thosewho maintain safe distance and wait for their turns patiently.It makes our work easier," he said.

Similar measures have also been taken by vendors inBattala and Lake Chowmuhani market.

Police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel havebeen deployed at all marketplaces to prevent crowding.

Petrol pumps across the city have also adopted the 'nomask, no fuel' policy.

Debabrata Ghosh, the manager of Radhanagar Petrol Pumphere, said, "We are just adhering to the decision taken bythe All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA), which has84 per cent of all fuel dealers in the country registered withthem. Accordingly, we also have launched a campaign on andasked the dealers to sensitise people about the importance ofwearing masks."

A customer at the pump said the move will benefit thesellers as well as the buyers.

"Just moments ago, a man who had waited for almost 15minutes outside the pump for his turn was told to go home ashe was not wearing a mask," he said.RMS RMS