Gujarat night curfew decision makes traders a bit difficult

Night curfew was imposed in the state after the Gujarat High Court’s criticism of the handling of the spike in coronavirus cases. There is a mixed reaction among the trading community to the imposition of night curfew. While some traders have welcomed the move, others want complete lockdown.

Vadodara (Gujarat): The second wave of coronavirus is has become even more fatal than the 2020 wave as the hospitals and crematoriums are now filled up with patients and dead bodies. In view of the worsening situation of the pandemic, the Gujarat High Court directed the state government to impose a lockdown for 2-3 days. Following this, the state government has imposed a night curfew in 20 cities. ETV Bharat tried to find out the reaction of the trading community due to the imposition of night curfew.

We will support the government decision

Talking to ETV Bharat traders of Anand town said they have been appealing to their customers to support any government move that takes into consideration the prevailing situation as well as the people’s needs. Traders of Anand have assured an adequate supply of food grain and grocery.

Traders will reach back home on time

Traders of Bhavnagar too have favoured night curfew. President of the city’s main Bora Bazar traders’ association and other traders have welcomed night curfew. Traders believe the move is good. Traders who take five minutes to half an hour to reach home after closing their shops have not shown any problem.

Traders of Jamnagar too support the move

Traders of Jamnagar’s Green market have supported night curfew. They feel the government’s move to impose a night curfew is appropriate. Small traders will face problems if lockdown is imposed during the day time. Besides, the traders, daily wage earners too will lose their jobs.

Government decision is laughable

Traders of Junagadh have expressed resentment over the night curfew. If the government is serious about fighting coronavirus, it should impose a 24-hour curfew or complete lockdown instead of the night curfew. The government’s logic that night curfew will stop the spread of coronavirus is laughable thought. Customers are in great confusion about curfew and they come out in large number in the market to make emergency purchases. This could spread infection.

Traders of Vadodara are angry with the night curfew

Traders of Vadodara too are opposed to night curfew. The biggest market of the city is Mangal Bazar where customers from the city as well as other parts of central Gujarat come to make purchases. One trader pointed out that the trade and business have suffered great loss due to the coronavirus in the last year. The government takes decisions disregarding the interest of the people. People make purchases in Mangal Bazar during the wedding season. Government’s decision to allow only up to 100 guests in weddings as also the cancellation of many weddings have wrought havoc on the business of Mangal Bazar. Now, the traders are compelled to close their shops early. It is difficult to pay wages to the employees of the shops.

Traders of Mehsana unable to accept night curfew

Traders of Mehsana too are unable to accept night curfew as many traders conduct their business till late in the evening. The night curfew has severely affected their business. Traders would rather have complete lockdown for three to four days. The pandemic spreads because of irresponsible behaviour of people and not in the day or night time. It will not make any difference if the shops are kept open in the day and closed at night. Traders would rather have complete lockdown for three to four days.