While borders are open for entry of visitors from neighbouring states post mandatory testing, our in-house small businesses including traders, hotels and bars are shut for over a month since the commencement of the pandemic-induced curfews on May 9 to check the spread of the mutated Delta variant of Covid-19.
Also affected by the curfews are the barber shops and beauty saloons that have downed their shutters for over a month as there is no one to espouse their cause.
When the fishing community met the fisheries MLA to open up both the wholesale and retail fish markets, their request was acceded to and so too the Gandhi Market and adjoining New Market were thrown open for business as they had a lobby to fight for their cause. Wisdom should prevail on the powers that be to opt for one week of total relaxation to test the Covid preparedness of the people.
With an all round improvement in both infection and fatality cases, it would be prudent to allow all shops to remain open within the stipulated hours.
