BENGALURU: Hospitality and other sectors on Thursday welcomed the state government’s reversal of the night curfew, but sought more clarity on future decisions that could affect their business.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa On Wednesday it announced movement restrictions during the hours of 11 pm to 5 am from December 24 to January 2.
After protests from citizens and commercial establishments, he withdrew the order the next day, raising the spirits of restaurants, shopping centers, pubs and Hotels that he had feared losing crucial business from the holiday season.
KM Chandrashekar Hebbar del Karnataka The Pradesh Hotel and Restaurant Association said the government should not make hasty decisions. “They (the government) are inconsistent, although now they have supported us by backing down on the night curfew decision. Personally, I think the government should uphold its decision, ”he said.
Sharath Rice, owner of the Hangover pub in Koramangala, said she was happy with the decision to remove nighttime restrictions. “The pubs and hotels in the city have taken the necessary precautions to operate safely. This confusion was avoidable, ”Rice said. Many in the hospitality industry believe that coming and going during business hours creates anxiety among owners and forces them to constantly review their plans. They add that the government must be clear in decision-making.
Chetan Hegde, owner of the 1522 pub chain, said the government should issue a new clarification. “Just saying that the order has been revoked doesn’t help. We need to know how to proceed. We canceled our reservations for Christmas and New Years due to the previous request. Although the order has been withdrawn, we are not sure if people will come as planned, ”he said.
Malls were under pressure to close shutters long before 11 p.m., so staff could get home without violating nighttime restrictions. They are relieved after Thursday’s decision. “Christmas and year-end purchases are an important source of income for points of sale and shopping centers. The night curfew would have dealt a severe blow to our business as we seek to overcome losses resulting from the Covid-linked lockdown, ”said Uday Garudachar, owner of the Garuda Mall chain and a BJP lawmaker.
Suresh Singaravelu, CEO of the Prestige Group, which owns shopping malls like UB City, said the holiday season that began with Dasara had given the mall business a boost. “We were hoping that Christmas and New Years would take it further. It was prudent for the government to withdraw the curfew order, ”he said.
MV Raghavendra Rao, Managing Director of Kadamba Hotel Group, also welcomed the pass and said it would help companies. “We thank the government. Many people, who eat at our restaurants on the roads, will now have a comfortable ride and we will be able to operate as usual, ”Rao said.
KN Vasudeva Adiga, president of the Paakashala restaurant group, said the nightly curfew may not have affected restaurants that close at 10pm anyway. “We believe that hoteliers should have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year and Christmas and make some profit,” he said. TOI.
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