Kochi: Sqaud shuts down 38 wayside eateries

KOCHI: The special infectious disease prevention squad of the district collector has removed 38 wayside eateries and an unlicenced hotel along the mini bypass at Tripunithura. The wayside shops were found to be functioning in extremely unhygienic conditions.   A case has been registered against the hotel for supplying stale fried food to customers.

The squad led by rural health officer P.N Sreenivasan has also served a temporary closure notice to the market in Angamaly where fish and meat stalls have no waste water processing facilities. "A temporary closure notice was served after convincing the workers and shop owners about the serious health hazards. The market can resume functioning after the premises are cleaned," said P.N Sreenivasan.

Three major hotels in Angamaly were also asked to close down temporarily citing poor hygiene standards. Migrant labourers working in one of the hotels were staying in a pathetic and filthy place. The hotels will be allowed to reopen only after getting certification from the municipal secretary. Three wayside eateries in the area have also been removed.

The inspection squad including officials of Health, Local self government, Revenue and Civil supplies departments will continue inspection on eateries, food units, ice plants in the coming days and submit a report to the District Disaster Management Authority.