July 5, 2021: Lajpat Nagar central market in Delhi on Monday (July 5) was shut for violating COVID-19 norms. The Delhites now will not be able to visit the Lajpat Nagar central market for shopping till further orders.

Earlier, the markets in East and West Delhi were also closed for not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. The orders said that the general public and the shopkeepers didn't follow coronavirus protocols.

While the markets in Laxmi Nagar, Kishan Kunj, Guru Ramdas Nagar have now been reopened after being shut for three days, the Punjabi Basti and Janata markets in the Nangloi area have been shut till July 6.

The order states that under the supervision of the SDM of the area, the enforcement team inspected the Lajpat Nagar Central Market and found a gross violation of Covid-19 rules, following which the call to shut down the market was taken.

Based on the response filed by the Traders Association and a subsequent review of the on-ground situation, the administration will take a decision on reopening the market.

The cotton market in Old Delhi's famous Sadar Bazar will remain closed on July 5-6 for flouting Covid-19 norms.

This is to be noted that the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led government had imposed a complete lockdown in the national capital in mid-April due to the raging second wave of coronavirus. However, in view of the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases, various relaxations including the opening of markets, malls and standalone shops were allowed from June 7.