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Owners say that any extension in restrictions will spell doom for business
Many parts of Bengaluru, which would have otherwise been packed, were noticeably empty on Wednesday, a day after the government introduced restrictions and shut down theatres, hotels, malls, and gyms for two weeks.
People whose livelihoods are dependent on these sectors fear that the “semi-lockdown” will be extended beyond the two weeks. Any such extension will “ruin our business irrevocably”, said proprietors who are still to recover from last year’s lockdown.
Chandrashekhar Hebbar, president, Karnataka Regional Hotels’ and Restaurants’ Association, argued that opening only for takeaways was not viable. Most hotels will shut shop, he predicted. “Already hit from the restrictions last year, nearly 3,000 hotels wound up business. This year too, we may see a repeat of the situation,” he said.
Mysore/Mysuru:
Gym owners and fitness trainers in Mysuru are distraught as their only source of livelihood has been snatched away by the State Government yesterday after orders were passed to close all gyms across the State.
“While hotels, bars, theatres have been allowed 50 percent occupancy, why the gyms have been asked to shut down? This is an autocratic and highly partial rule that favours only one section of the business and kills businesses like gyms and fitness training,” said Karnataka Gym and Fitness Centre Owners’ Association President A.V. Ravi.
Addressing a press conference in city this morning, Ravi said that ever since the COVID-19 lockdown was declared in March last year, there has been no substantial earnings at gyms.