The second wave of the novel Coronavirus is yet again bringing life to a near standstill. Most of the states in India have decreed more stringent laws ahead of the rising coronavirus cases forcing numerous businesses to observe a complete shutdown.
The hotel, resort, and restaurant owners of Punjab have suffered a similar fate as they staged a protest against Punjab Government’s new COVID-19 guidelines.
“If govt can hold political rallies for its survival, why can’t we run our businesses for the same?”, Kawarjeet Singh, a resort owner said on Tuesday.
Punjab: Hotel, resort & restaurant owners in Amritsar staged a protest against Punjab Government’s new COVID19 guidelines, earlier today.
"If govt can hold political rallies for its survival, why can’t we run our businesses for the same?", says Kawarjeet Singh, a resort owner. pic.twitter.com/XWFZ1O0qSa
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021
The deteriorating businesses have flagged concerns amongst the owners leading them to take over the streets and make demonstrations against the government’s decision.
The state of Punjab on Monday reported 72 more deaths due to Covid-19, the highest single-day spike this year. The toll in the state has spiked to 7,155.
Amid the rising number of cases in the state, the Punjab government has decided to extend the existing Covid-19-related restrictions till 10 April to curb the spread of the virus.
Under the revised guidelines, the government decided to extend the night curfew from nine to 11 such districts, including Ludhiana, Patiala, where the cases of infection are rising. The curfew will remain in place from 9 pm to 5 am.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has imposed partial lockdowns from Monday, shutting down malls, theatres, hotels, restaurants and imposing a statewide night curfew to curb the spread of the virus.