Cops designate spots outside shops for queues

Kolkata: Kolkata Police on Wednesday marked spaces with enough distance in between, outside shops of grocery, medicine and other essential commodities, where people will stand in queues.

Sources informed that on Monday night, senior Kolkata Police officials instructed the divisional Deputy Commissioners (DC) to take up the matter of gatherings outside the shops. On Wednesday morning, the DCs instructed the Officers-in-Charge (OC) to earmark the spaces where people will stand. It has also been instructed that the places should be marked in view of the guideline to prevent spread of COVID-19.

Later, cops went to the shops and marked the spots using white chalk. The shop owners were instructed not to allow more than one or two persons inside the shop at a time and not to charge more than the MRP of the products. People who were standing in the queue were requested to maintain the system and not to delay while purchasing goods. This apart, police personnel were also deputed in front of the stores to maintain queues in case of large number of people coming there.

Meanwhile, a leading departmental store chain, which has more than 16 branches in Kolkata and its suburbs, initiated doorstep delivery services in view of the present situation.

The customers can call at the nearest store and place their orders which would be delivered within 24 hours. The details of the store along with the phone numbers have been shared on the Facebook page of the departmental chain.

"The well being of the customers is our priority. We have initiated doorstep delivery services in Kolkata. Call us and get your daily needs delivered at your doorstep," read the post on the Facebook page.

The departmental chain presently has its stores in prominent places like Barasat, Baguiati, Salt Lake, Avani Riverside Mall, Lake Mall, Sealdah, Esplanade, Narendrapur, Jadavpur, Rabindra Sarani, Hiland Park etc. The payment has been made available through cash or card at the doorstep.

This apart, the stores will remain open and necessary arrangements have been made to create distancing among the customers as they queue up for billing. Staffs have been provided with masks, sanitisers and other protective gears.