Low Footfall As Malls and Restaurants Open In Guwahati

By-Rokibuz Zaman
GUWAHATI: Malls and restaurants in the city witnessed low footfall as they reopened after over two months, as people chose to remain indoors.
However, there were many more people out on the roads here on Monday than on Sunday and more shops opened to cater to the needs of those affected by the lockdown.
Lubana Singh, 26, of Ulubari told TOI that with restaurants reopening, people will have an option to step out. "I want to go out but I am scared too with the continuous increase in the number of coronavirus cases. So, until and unless there is an emergency, I will not step out. I need to take care of my health myself. The government is no longer responsible for my actions," Singh said.
Mehjabin Rahman of Beltola said it was "very unsafe" for dining out as the cases are increasing in the state.
"It's very unsafe," he said. "The world is in this crisis because of the pandemic and the situation in other parts of the country remain far from perfect. Here our ministers are appearing so carefree, giving out orders to simply open up restaurants. We don't know what is going to happen next. It's extremely scary. I hope it doesn't turn into a nightmare," Rahman said.
Dipankar Roy, 35, a fast food owner at GS Road here, said the food stall received 40-50 customers till evening, as against the usual 150-200. "It is difficult to run the stall even though it opened after two months," Roy said.
Guwahati-based Roodraksh Mall general manager Devashis Das said the mall received about 250 people till 4 pm, which is very low.
A Big Bazaar official said all stores were open, but the number of footfalls is the same as it was during the lockdown. "The grocery store was open during the lockdown. Today, all other stops were also open but the sale is almost the same," he said, hoping things will be normal soon.
Managements of malls and shopping complexes have issued detailed guidelines to check the spread of the virus, including disinfecting common areas regularly, contact-less shopping, no trials of clothes, and physical distancing.
All visitors have to register their names and addresses and thermal scanners and sanitiser dispensers have been placed at the entry gates and the visitors with Covid-19 symptoms will be asked to return.