Government should adopt SOPs instead of shutting down business: LCCI

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to adopt safety measures instead of shutting down the business before Eid-ul-Azha.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar expressed these views while talking to a delegation of traders from different markets at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

They informed the LCCI office-bearers that closure of businesses before Eid-ul-Azha would give a big blow to the traders who are struggling hard to get back on their feet. They said that the business community has paid a heavy cost to COVID-19 during the prolonged lockdown. Despite the biggest financial loss, businessmen cooperated with the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

They said that untiring efforts of the government, sacrifices of paramedic staff and unprecedented cooperation of the business community, situation of coronavirus is well under control therefore, there is no need for closure of businesses before Eid. "Allowing 24 hours businesses till Eid-ul-Azha would be a wise decision as it would help people to do shopping at suitable timings and no rush in the markets would be witnessed," they added.

The LCCI office-bearers said that the business community is the backbone of the economy and is playing a great role in providing employment to the people and revenue to the government. They said that the businessmen would ensure implementation of safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) given by the government to avoid spread of coronavirus. They also appealed to the masses to follow the SOPs as control of the spread of COVID-19 is the responsibility of all segments of society.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020