SHILLONG: Even though the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state is the lowest in the country, some are still wary that the number can spike with unhygienic sale of masks by hawkers.
Sources said the spread of virus in the state is controlled to certain extent due to the policies of the government, hard work of district administration, police and health workers.
However, there is fear that if hawkers are allowed to sell face masks on the streets in an unhygienic way, COVID-19 or any other disease is bound to spread.
The face masks sold by hawkers are not packed properly with multiple people touching them for inspection before finally purchasing them. These masks are sometimes worn directly without washing or sanitising which can lead to spread of diseases.
Selling of masks in the open by hawkers should not be encouraged, said a concerned citizen.
‘The district administration should issue advice for the general people not to purchase face masks from the roadside vendors and hawkers should not be allowed to sell masks, he said.
‘It is always advisable to use well washed and dried handkerchief rather than buying a mask from a roadside hawker which is unhygienic. People are not against hawkers who are earning their bread and butter, but they should not play with the life of the people in general,’ he added.
