New Delhi: Hindu Festival Navratri is around the corner but the markets of Sadar Bazar in Delhi is dull and monotonous. Festivals always give us a reason to commemorate joy and prosperity but due to the coronavirus outbreak, the festive season stands gloomy.
With coronavirus gripping in the national capital, taking the death toll to four, markets are witnessing huge economic crisis. Navratri is approaching, markets are ready with pooja items but there are no customers to buy. Generally people start purchasing festive items before hand but this year due to the covid-19 scare, markets are seeing less customers making it difficult for the shopkeepers to earn even nominal profit.
ETV Bharat reached out to Asia's largest market Sadar Bazar in Delhi to understand the footfall of the customers and current scenario during Navratri.
"Our shops are ready with pooja items but we have no customers to purchase them. Every year we have customers from all over the country but this year due to the virus, we are facing difficulties. Customers from other states are not coming to our shops due to coronavirus scare. Even local customers are not turning up", said a shopkeeper who has a market in Sadar Bazar.
From commercial hotspots to small markets, everything has come to a temporary halt in Delhi. People have started avoiding restaurants, shopping and salons after the city reported its first COVID-19 death.
To prevent the outbreak of the virus, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has banned gathering of more than 20 people in public places. Apart from this, Prime Minister has urged all the citizens to abide by the guidelines of Janta Curfew on March 22 from 7am to 9am.
