With markets reopening in Delhi on an odd-even basis earlier this week, shopkeepers remain hopeful that their customers will gradually return.
While some say that the reopening of markets on an odd-even basis is a hassle for customers, they hope that markets can fully reopen soon, adding that they’ll continue to follow social distancing and COVID protocols.
Delhi Markets wear a deserted look on Day 1 of unlock 2.0Shopkeepers say the odd-even rule for shops can become a hassle for customers.
“I think it confuses customers.
If a customer is stepping out amid the pandemic, they want to finish all their work in one go.
But with few shops open on a given day, customers have to end up making another visit, which is tiresome for many,” says Mukesh Goyal, a shopkeeper from Khan Market.
He adds, “We aren’t letting more than three people enter the shop at once.
People with masks are allowed to enter and use of sanitisers is a must.” Yoginder Dawar, President, Central Market Association, Lajpat Nagar, agrees, “The government could have reduced the timings but odd-even doesn’t help customers.
They want variety.
Opening shops on an odd-even basis can help control crowds, but humein aur customers ko fayda nahi hai.
We’ll continue to follow social distancing and have ample masks at shops for customers who lose theirs while shopping.” At Janpath, only a few customers were seen on Day 1.
But shopkeepers are hopeful that their regular customers will return.
Vinod Sharma, President, Old Mini Market Association, Janpath, says, “If cases continue to dip, we hope to see our regular customers soon.” Arjun Market in Gurgaon May take months for things to be better: Ggn shopkeepersIn Gurgaon, shops that were allowed to reopen from 9am-3pm are now allowed to open till 6pm.
Shyam, a shopkeeper from Arjun Market in DLF Phase 1 says, “We’ve been opening on an odd-even basis but there are many shopkeepers who have decided to open only after the market reopens completely.
Customers aate hi nahi hai toh fayda nahi hai.” Banjara Market in Gurgaon Sonu from Banjara Market in Sector 56, adds, “This market is always buzzing with customers.
While we are reopening slowly, we know we will witness an increase in the number of customers in the coming months.” Markets in Noida also witnessed low footfall on Day 1 Don’t think we will see regular customers for two-three weeks: Noida shopkeepersWhile markets in Delhi and Gurgaon reopened on an odd-even basis, those outside containment zones in Noida were allowed to operate on weekdays.
Himanshu Kumar, a shopkeeper from Atta Market in Sector 27, says, “We don’t think we’ll see our regular customers for at least two-three weeks.
People are still not sure of stepping out, markets mein crowd ki wajah se shayad na hi aaye.” Atta Market in Noida Raja, another shopkeeper from the market, adds, “Since we’ve reopened after more than two months, we hope that customers will return and support us.”