Staff Correspondent: Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has announced that products will not be sold without a face mask. From Sunday (November 1), buyers and sellers without face masks will not be allowed to enter any shops, markets and malls in the country. This procedure will continue till February 29, 2021.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners' Association said this at a press conference at Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club on Sunday (November 1) at around 12 noon. Organizing this press conference of the association demanding three points.

Association president Helal Uddinat said at the press conference, winter season is coming in Bangladesh. Corona infection has started in the second phase in the world. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged everyone to wear masks to prevent corona virus infection. The government has decided to implement a "no mask, no service" policy, fearing that corona infections may increase in the coming winter.

In solidarity with the Prime Minister's call and the government's decision, the shop owners also said, "Covering your nose and mouth with mask is the vaccine for now." Helal Uddin called upon the shop owners across the country to increase their awareness about masks.

The demands of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association are to keep the shop owners exempt from turnover VAT up to BDT 50 lakh, to withdraw the decision to make trade license compulsory for small and micro traders to get incentives and to increase awareness activities titled 'No Mask, No Service'.

In a written statement, Helal Uddin said, “The National Board of Revenue is conducting a crackdown on small traders across the country, including Dhaka, to get VAT registration. At the moment, compulsory registration of small, ultra small and medium traders is being pressured in Corona."

"Besides, the obligation of the new law is to file VAT return every month. Failure to do so will result in a fine of BDT 10,000. It is not possible for small traders to accept this in any way." Helal Uddin said, "Small traders did not get much benefit from government incentives in Corona situation. Now it is being said that a trade license is required to take incentives."

"But the capital of many small and very small traders is 10 to 50 thousand BDT. They never traded with a trade license. Because, it costs 5 to 6 thousand BDT to get a trade license. It is not possible for small traders to accept this condition." Conference-Secretary General of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, Zahirul Haque Bhuiyan, President of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association Khandaker Ruhul Amin and others also made remarks at the press conference.