Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 21

The hospitality industry has taken a massive hit due to the ongoing global pandemic. However, hoteliers and restaurant owners have heaved a sigh of relief with the latest orders issued by the district administration allowing home delivery of food items till 8 pm. As per the earlier orders, none was allowed to deliver food after 12 pm.

The hospitality industry had expressed concern over the migration of workers in the absence of adequate work and demanded relaxation in curfew orders so that the labour exodus could be stopped.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Bhupinder Basant, senior vice-chairman, Punjab State Traders’ Board, said the hotel/restaurant industry was too worried as the labour had started moving back to their native places. “It was extremely important to hold back the labour and we were demanding it for a long time. The new orders will certainly provide a respite to the industry, already reeling under recession,” said Basant.

Voicing similar views, another dhaba owner on Pakhowal Road, “In dhabas, the work usually starts at 10 am and how could we deliver just till 12 pm? We had stopped taking the deliveries but now till 8 pm, home delivery is allowed. We are again starting the home delivery from Monday onwards,” said the dhaba owner.

The new orders regarding shops/home deliveries will be implemented from May 24.