Traders expect business to pick up from today

Coimbatore: As the district gears up for a graded exit from the lockdown, the trading community here is relieved after the state government announced that most commercial establishments can restart operations from Monday.
Traders said they are awaiting detailed and clear instructions from the administration before reopening their shops.
The district administration officials have hinted that all shops, micro and small industrial units, and commercial establishments — without air-conditioning — can function if they follow Covid-19 precautions as prescribed by the Centre and state.
Malls, commercial complexes, jewellery and clothing shops which are air-conditioned cannot resume business. No shops or commercial establishments in containment zones can be opened.
S Balasubramaniam, president of Federation of Trade Associations, Coimbatore, said businessmen were hopeful that they could begin business as usual from Monday.
“As of now, the business is dull. Traders would open shops on Monday, but only if industry and construction operations in the city revive completely, we can expect regular business,” he said.
Jewellery shop owners in the city said they were awaiting clear guidelines. “The state government has said small jewellery shops can open for business. But it has also said air-conditioned outlets cannot function and we need clarity on this. We are ready to open shops, but we need clear guidelines,” said B Sabarinath, president of the Coimbatore Jewellers Association.
Meanwhile, owners of vehicle repair shops and garage, who have also been allowed to open for business from Monday said, they would open shops but were not sure of the business they would get.
K S Mani, a representative of vehicle repair shops in the city, said all shop owners have been instructed on safety measures needed in their workshops such as use of sanitisers, maintaining social distancing between workers and not letting customers crowd at shops.
“But we are not sure of the business we would get initially, as people might not have enough money to spend. We expect to start by doing small repair work for the time being,” he said.