NOIDA: Their business severely affected by the lockdown, restaurateurs in Noida and Ghaziabad have written to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, appealing to be allowed to stay open beyond the 9pm curfew hour as well as on weekends.
The Noida chapter of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) said it was expecting some curbs to be relaxed from July 1 but none had been given. Restaurateur Varun Khera, the local NRAI head, said Noida and Ghaziabad have almost 400 restaurants. “Our sector is facing its worst time. Operating a restaurant right now is a painful experience,” Khera said.
Reopening after the second wave has been difficult for restaurateurs. Several outlets have shut for good. Some have not reopened despite the state allowing eateries to operate at 50% capacity last month. A restaurateur said in such uncertain times, eateries should have been allowed to operate usual hours while ensuring protocols are followed, adding the post-9pm dinner hours and weekends m