Three days on, shops continue to record minimal footfall in Patna

PATNA: Three days have passed since the reopening of shops in a staggered manner in the city, but footfall of customers is still very low as people prefer not to leave their homes unless necessary. As a result, owners of salons, wedding bands, furniture shops and hardware stores continue to suffer losses.
Mohammed Shayan, who owns a hardware store on Ashiyana Road, said he made the first sale on Thursday after the reopening.“Our future seems uncertain. My store is on the main road and I have to pay a big amount as rent. The landlord doesn’t spare me despite the pandemic and resultant losses that I have been suffering.”
Shravan Kumar, who has an electrical store at S K Puri, said, “Customers come in small numbers after 1pm and we have to down shutters at 2pm. An average shop in the city has to pay more than Rs 1.5 lakh per month for different bills and rent. It’s impossible to recover our losses anytime soon.”
Faizal Ansari, a resident of Indirapuri, said, “The extension of business hours for shops is a good move. We were finding it difficult to buy goods when shops were being closed at 10am. However, I personally prefer not to leave home unless necessary.”
Sanjeev Kumar, a trader, said the footfall of customers at his supermarket has reduced drastically. “We are, however, receiving home delivery orders,” he added
Anil Kumar Singh, chief financial officer at another supermarket, said, “Maintaining social distancing has become easier now as people are taking precautions.”
Mukesh Kayasth, accountant at a salon chain in Patna, said, “It has been two days since the salons opened, but the response is still poor. We have not been able to clear outstanding salaries of our employees.”