Lahore: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) has requested the government for a ‘relaxed’ daily operations schedule for small traders and shopkeepers amid the going coronavirus lockdown, a news source reported.
LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh requested the government
to allow small traders and shopkeepers to conduct their businesses from 9 AM to
5 PM during the ongoing novel
coronavirus lockdown in the city.
He appreciated the government for allowing export-oriented
industries to remain operational, but demanded similar relief for small traders
and shopkeepers. He said that these businesspersons were facing severe
financial crunch due to the lockdown.
Sheikh stated that these small businesses played an important role in generating revenue and providing employment. He added that the 9 to 5 working hours would allow them to overcome challenges during the novel coronavirus lockdown.
The LCCI president informed the delegations of traders that the
LCCI had taken the issue to the higher authorities. He added that they soon
expected the government to allow small traders and shopkeepers to open their
businesses with certain standard operating procedures (SOPs).
