The civic authorities have decided to keep a market in Bikramgarh in the Golf Green area closed till Sunday and introduce an alternate-day model for three other nearby markets as a precaution against Covid-19.

The markets that will open on alternate days are in Azadgarh, Bijoygarh and Bansdroni, officials said.

The decision has been conveyed to all stall owners and market committees with clear instructions to ensure there are no unnecessary gatherings in and around the markets.

As for the Bikramgarh market, civic officials will take stock of the situation next Sunday and decide whether it will be allowed to reopen on Monday.

“We had to take firm steps to reduce footfall in markets in Golf Green and its adjoining areas,” said Tapan Dasgupta, the local ward coordinator. “Despite our campaign, a section of shoppers at these markets is still violating physical distancing norms and not wearing masks.”

Two markets in Bikramgarh and Bijoygarh, which are surrounded by housing complexes and standalone multistoried buildings, had been shut for a day on Sunday to reduce chances of the spread of the coronavirus.

After they reopened on Monday, civic officials from the health and market departments were shocked to see the rampant violation of Covid safety norms at the Bikramgarh market and decided to keep it closed till next Sunday.

“As for the Bijoygarh market and the ones in Azadgarh and Bansdroni, they will open on alternate days to avoid crowding,” a CMC official said.

Senior officials of the health department said markets remained the most vulnerable zones owing to high footfall. Unless social distancing norms are strictly enforced, it would be difficult to break the infection chain of the coronavirus.

“Bijoygarh was declared as a containment zone because several Covid-19 positive cases were reported. It has been dropped from the list, but the entire stretch with a high population density remains a vulnerable zone,” a senior health department official said.

Golf Green and its adjoining areas, including Jodhpur Park and Jadavpur, have been witnessing a gradual rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Eight employees of a pharmacy shop in Regent Place recently tested positive. A part of Govindapur Road in Jodhpur Park has recently been included in the containment zone list.

“We have decided to visit different wards and identify standalone shops that were inviting huge gatherings,” ward coordinator Dasgupta said. “The owner of a domestic LPG supplier in Regent Place has been asked to keep his shop closed for the next few days.”