Bhubaneswar: The Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association warned Friday that all its members would join the lockdown and weekend shutdowns if they are not declared as ‘frontline Corona warriors’. The association has 2,500 members.
At a press conference held at the Atala Bhawan, Unit-IV, here, president of the association P Satyanarayana informed that since the outbreak of Covid-19 last year, the medicine shop owners and their employees have been providing yeomen services to people taking great risks.
“Our members have been dealing with Covid-19 patients or their relatives directly. In the process hundreds of our members have lost their lives. Still, we are offering our services without any major demand,” stated Satyanarayana.
“We have been demanding that we be regarded as frontline Covid-19 warriors and our family members, staff be vaccinated on a priority basis. We have placed our demand before the Chief Minister and Health Minister on several occasions. But nothing has been done so far by the government. We are considered as emergency service providers during lockdown and weekend shutdowns and yet nothing is done for our protection. If our demands are not met, we will close shops for an indefinite period. The government will be responsible if we are forced to take such a step,” warned Satyanarayana.
Notably, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has also said that the 9.4 lakh chemists across India would join Corona-induced lockdowns and shutdowns if they are not vaccinated on priority basis.
PNN