Life slows down amid second wave
After fleeting relief from the virus-induced lockdown and its restrictions, the otherwise fast-moving Karachi finds itself retreating to the sluggish pace it experienced during the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In wake of rising coronavirus cases and an ongoing second wave of the virus, the federal government has re-imposed restrictions that were earlier relaxed, so as to control the contagion. These include the closure of all trade activities and centres, including shopping malls, markets, eateries and wedding halls, by 10pm. However, hospitals, pharmacies and other facilities offering healthcare products and services have been exempted from the restriction.
Nevertheless, most of the city now closes down by 10pm, with the city administration taking strict measures to ensure that lockdown guidelines are duly followed. For the purpose, police patrol the city’s streets at night, while shops remain closed and citizens locked inside their homes.
However, some shop owners allege that the police “favour” certain individuals among them, letting them operate beyond 10pm.
Citizens, on the other hand, are struggling to wind up weddings and other similar events within two hours - the duration for which wedding halls are allowed to host an event.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a citizen said that wedding hall managements were asking clients for surety that they would abide by pandemic-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) before making bookings and most would turn off lights at venues at 9.30pm.
With a majority finding it hard to leave work in time to be able to attend the event, the number of guests at weddings and other event has significantly dropped - especially in contrast to the usual crowds - particularly in the evening on weekdays. Moreover, some now prefer to host events during the day, given the deadline at night.
Brides also have limited time to get their makeup done at beauty parlours, while grooms too face time constraints when visiting salons.
Besides, citizens have also restricted themselves from dining out, with otherwise crowded eateries in the metropolis closing down by 10pm, while time restrictions on snooker clubs and other recreational facilities have further limited leisure activities in the port city.
Those working in the night shift, especially labourers, are perhaps some of the worst affected by the restrictions, which have affected their livelihoods.
According to hotel owner Muhammad Jameel, the re-imposition of restrictions has left waiters and other similar staff in a quandary, adding to their financial difficulties.
“We are following the SOPs but how can we pay our employees if we close business by 10pm?” he asks.
Jameel points out that in winter, many run seasonal businesses of selling fish and soup, the demand for which peaks in cold weather. “However, most of them will not likely be earning much this time around due to the [Covid-19] restrictions,” he laments.
Troubled citizens, who, too, believe that coronavirus restrictions would add to the financial plight of many, question whether the threat of Covid-19 only appears after 10pm. They have called for authorities to ensure that precautionary measures, such as wearing masks, are followed instead of placing timing restrictions and have appealed to the government to reconsider its decision and let businesses and commercial entities operate beyond 10pm. A fraction of citizens, though, continues to believe that the decision taken by the government is sagacious and for their benefit.
Amid all this, however, a large segment of people continues to ignore precautionary measures and don’t wear face masks in public places.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2020.