Allow shops to remain open on weekends too: Traders to govt

Noida/Ghaziabad: Traders in Noida and Ghaziabad said the UP government’s decision to relax night curfew hours would help lift business marginally, but the weekend lockdown was a great deterrent as neighbouring Delhi had allowed markets to stay open through all days of the week.
“The days are hot and people prefer stepping out only in the evenings. Allowing shops to open till 9pm will help current businesses by 20-25%,” said SK Jain, president of Sector 18 market association. He added, “For markets, over half the business comes during weekends. If we remain shut, people will go to Delhi for shopping. We will be at a loss. The government should look at having similar norms across all NCR cities.”
Restaurant owners further said that the relaxation to allow indoor seating will not impact business much. “For restaurants with seating, the lunch business is not very high and dinner usually does not end by 9pm. People will not be visiting restaurants much and the main business will continue to be through deliveries. However, most people go out for meals during weekends, which will not happen” said Varun Khera, head of the Noida chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India.
Alok Kumar, the founder of the Federation of Association of Apartment Owners, said: “There is a need to maintain strictness of roads and in markets. However, the timings allowed for economic activities are insufficient, especially for restaurants and hotels.”
Meanwhile, officials said that despite the relaxations, strict action will be taken against those who break norms. GB Nagar district magistrate Suhas LY said that there are no additional restrictions apart from those in the state order.
“The additional district magistrate (administration) and the ADM (City) have been appointed to monitor rural and urban areas, respectively. In their respective jurisdictions, city magistrate, sub-divisional magistrates and additional city magistrates, besides police officers, will ensure compliance. Penal action will be taken against offenders,” said Ghaziabad district magistrate RK Singh.