1 lakh shopkeepers, vendors tested for virus since July as preventive measure

According to a Corporation statement, 1,00,124 vendors were tested since the civic body started the drive in July. “Residents visit the shops for essential items frequently. Vendors are being tested to prevent the spread of the virus from the shops,” the statement said.

Apart from this, around 1.82 lakh persons are under home quarantine and 22,808 houses have been quarantined.

State Municipal Administration Department Minister SP Velumani held a meeting with the officials to review the control measures on Wednesday, in which he said that more than 14.13 lakh samples have been tested in Chennai. Of the total samples collected, more than 7 lakh samples were collected by the civic body field workers. The city has tested 1.72 samples per 10 lakh of population, which is the highest in the country.

“The city had witnessed a spike in cases as the traders spread the virus among the public. Several clusters were reported due to the local markets. Testing the vendors help in curtailing further COVID-19 hot spots,” an official said.

Meanwhile, State Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan conducted an inspection at the commercial complexes and construction sites in the city on Thursday. “During the inspection, the Secretary created awareness on the use of masks and social distancing at the workplaces. He instructed the workers to wear the masks properly in a way to cover the nose and mouth,” another Chennai Corporation statement said.

He also warned them of Rs 200 penalty for not wearing the masks and Rs 500 penalty if they found spitting on the roads. However, he clarified that the intention of the government is to curtail the spread rather than punishing the people.