Mumbai’s coronavirus cases see a major prickle; Maharashtra’s deputy CM hinted to take decision on lockdown in 8-10 days during the month of November, the national capital has closed major markets, Delhi recorded 1,759 fatalities till November 21 – around 83 deaths per day. The number of deaths breached the 100-mark four times in the last 10 days. The West Delhi district authorities ordered two evening markets in Nangloi to be shut for violating various COVID-19 safety guidelines on social distancing and wearing of masks. Similarly, Gujarat has imposed night curfew.
Directives issued by Maharashtra government with regard to wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing etc. are being flouted in various public places and markets of Mumbai. In overall public interest, it is hereby the government may order lockdown till 30th November or even more.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray advised the people of the state not to lower their guard against COVID-19 and follow the safety protocols strictly in order to avoid the imposition of another lockdown. He said that although he has been advised to impose a night curfew, he does not believe that anything can be achieved by imposing such restrictions.
We at Afternoon Voice spoke to some business owners, commoners and professionals on their views on the speculated lockdown in the state, here’s what they had to say.
Arun Gowda who runs a restaurant business since 30 years in Vasai said, “The COVID 19 lockdown did affect my business earlier in great extent. My restaurant is on a rental basis, so even though there were lockdown everywhere I had to pay rent every month. Due to which I have suffered a huge loss as there wasn’t any income but there were expenses. Even now after the lockdown has eased out initially it took couple of weeks to get the business back on track. So, if the government will announce lockdown again then it’ll be the same situation where there’ll be losses but no gains.”
Manwin Lamba an Event Planner from Thane said, “As per my thinking, it would be wrong for the businesses. But if the lockdown isn’t imposed the cases won’t be in control and people have started being careless about Covid-19. I have seen myself people not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing as government has ordered. I think there should be a curfew after evening. So that people stay at home and we atleast have a control over cases and win the fight against the virus. And speaking about Government’s step towards the Virus, I’m in full support. It would affect my work but even we need to think about the City, State or Country.”
Lamba further added saying, “On the other hand if the government planning to re-impose complete lockdown then it would affect the business and I would face a huge loss. I have barely stood up after the pandemic has hit us. And the Government is planning for another one. I would prefer curfew not lockdown.”
“If the government is planning to re-impose the lockdown, then all startups and small businesses are going to shut permanently. As there are many aspects on which a startup company works such as money rolling, holding up on the stocks (perishable and non-perishable), paying the rent, building a position in the market and also some of them already have loans. And because of these above mentioned aspects a startup company is suffering. But the government is also force to impose such steps due to this deadliest virus. However, this is for sure that if second lockdown gets imposed then it will be hard for a startup to survive,” said Amey Borse, runs a startup business in Dhule.
Anvar Daredia who runs a Wholesale and Retail business in Vasai area said, “After a period of success, due to the economic pressure of the demonitization and some other local factors, my business went in decline and when the COVID-19 lockdown came to effect, the chances of the business bouncing back again completely disappeared.”
“Lockdown meant that we will have to find a different line of business entirely as we are the only clothe shop in the middle of a wholesale market in Vasai. As our business was small we had no capital to keep it going through the entire thing. Now injecting more investment into the same line of business, clothing would not be ideal as less people are going out to buy clothes rather people are preferring online orders on such products. And if it is re-imposed again then our old business will be done for good and we will have to start all over again”, added Anvar who is into this clothing business from the last 6 years”, Daredia further added.
Maharashtra reported 5,753 new COVID-19 cases, 4,060 recoveries and 50 deaths on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 17,80,208. There are 81,512 active cases in the state and 16,51,064 patients have recovered so far. The death toll is at 46,623. Meanwhile, Mumbai alone accounted for 1,135 new COVID-19 cases. The city’s total tally now stands at 2,75,707. Mumbai’s death toll jumped to 10,673 after reporting 19 new fatalities. The city also registered 618 recoveries in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of discharges to 2,52,127. There are currently a total of 9,770 active cases.
India’s coronavirus tally reached 90,95,807 on Sunday after 45,209 new infections were reported in the last 24 hours. The overall cases include 4,40,962 active cases and 85,21,617 recoveries. With 501 new deaths, the death toll in the country mounted to 1,33,227.He said “easing of restrictions has exposed the vulnerable population, such as the elderly and those having comorbidities, to the deadly virus.
