We can’t coerce customers to maintain social norms, say small-time retailers

“Even though we have been advised by the Corporation and State government to maintain social distancing norms, people who visit our store are not following it. In front of my shop, I have put up lines to maintain social distancing but, especially in the morning, people are not respecting the lines nor our request. Further, many people are not wearing masks and endangering others,” said Lingam, who runs an individual shop in Anna Nagar.

He added that he can’t force his customers to wear masks or enforce strict social distancing norms. “I have known my customers for decades. Since I am living in the same locality, I can’t coerce them to wear a mask or ask them to go to another store for not maintaining the government norms.”

But not all shop-owners are easy-going like Lingam. Prasanth, who runs a retail store on the outskirts of Chennai, said, “I have put up the lines and ask my helper to stand guard so that people wouldn’t violate the social distancing norms. I can’t pay fine to the civic body. If I violate the norms, they have been imposing fines based on total square feet of the shop. I have asked my customers to follow the suit else find another one.”

Further, from Monday, the Tamil Nadu government has allowed more businesses to function, including the much-expected tea/coffee and petty shops, a commoner’s getaway.

“When I spoke to my relatives in my hometown, petty shops with tea and coffee have been functioning for more than two weeks. I think it would help the common people,” said an IT Professional.

According to officials, Greater Chennai Corporation staff are constantly monitoring the shops. They sealed a mobile store in Aminjikarai recently for violating social distancing norms. Further, a police complaint has also been filed against the shop-owner under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of Epidemic Disease Act.