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Those little pleasures of life, which Keralites craved for months together, are back on their plate.
From Sunday, Malayalis have begun tasting the indoor dining, public swimming pool and stadium experiences yet again, after a long, pandemic-induced break. The state also had its first cruise liner reaching Kochi coasts after one-and-a-half years, and Kochi’s renowned Durbar Hall Art Gallery opening its doors, giving the tourism industry a boost.
Though many restrictions like 50 per cent occupancy are in place, concerns on our laid-back approach towards safety protocols are also shared by many. We talk to hoteliers, diners and gallery owners about the latest unlocking:
A much-awaited day
Kochi-based college student Shruti Das is enjoying a quick Sunday breakfast at a local eatery, after a morning run. She says, “This had been my post-run ritual until the pandemic ruined it. Absence of indoor dining was a concern when we had to travel, too. It wasn’t just for commuters like me, but for drivers, too. Even with restrictions, I’m cool it’s back.”
Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association’s general secretary G Jayapal says, “At the moment, the 50 per cent occupancy rule doesn’t matter. Most people prefer parcels. There is staff shortage as well. We can’t call back the staff who have left without ensuring they can be paid well. So, we are observing how the situation evolves.”
As for bars, swimming pools, indoor stadiums and more, people are happy there are entertainment options again. Swimming instructor Josy Jose says, “People who have been working in these sectors have also been waiting for this. We have to see how soon the regular users get back.”
The new normal
You can’t run into a restaurant now to escape heat or for group meals, as air-conditioning, table-sharing and the like aren’t allowed. Rakesh R, a hotelier from Thiruvananthapuram, says, “Though people understand the reasons, many customers aren’t happy about ‘no A/c’. People also miss group dining as we are enforcing social distancing. We are now trying to see how to have cooler interiors during the hot weather.”
Theatres, galleries are in the queue
Ever since theatres were closed in April, audience and cinema owners have been waiting for a reopening. Even the most-awaited films like Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham and Thuramukham are in the queue. According to K Vijayakumar, general secretary of Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala, we should be able to enjoy movies in theatres from Puja holidays, this year. “We are hoping that by then, the current restrictions are lifted. And we are doing all it takes to ensure pandemic regulations are in place, and enforce even stricter than how they were done during the previous re-opening in March. Only the fully vaccinated will be allowed for shows, with our ticket counters asking for the certificates before entry,” he says. Meanwhile, even as the Durbar Hall art gallery has reopened, many other galleries have not been able to follow suit. Geetha Sai of Gallery 27 in Kochi says, “The long period of closure calls for some maintenance works in galleries . But we are hoping to line up shows by the end of October.”
A tendency to forget the pandemic
The enthusiasm to reopen isn’t always shown when it comes to ensuring that the safety precautions are strictly enforced, many complain. For instance, chartered account Joby George, from Thiruvananthapuram, who has been a regular walker at the recently opened Museum Ground in the city, says, “Compared to the past, we have less than 50 per cent of walkers now on Museum Ground. But the safety precautions are not effectively enforced. When we enter the premises, we are instructed to walk in one direction only, but when the officials of the place come in, they arrive from the other direction as that is how they can reach their offices. Eventually, the arrangement confuses people and they start walking in both directions. Also, sometimes, the automatic sanitiser dispenser kept on the premises isn’t switched on. Moreover, about 80 per cent of the walkers have their masks down, which shouldn’t be encouraged.” Shruti adds, “Unless each of us follow the protocol, we can’t say this would be the final reopening. And it’s important for all of us to remember it.”
From Sunday, Malayalis have begun tasting the indoor dining, public swimming pool and stadium experiences yet again, after a long, pandemic-induced break. The state also had its first cruise liner reaching Kochi coasts after one-and-a-half years, and Kochi’s renowned Durbar Hall Art Gallery opening its doors, giving the tourism industry a boost.
Though many restrictions like 50 per cent occupancy are in place, concerns on our laid-back approach towards safety protocols are also shared by many. We talk to hoteliers, diners and gallery owners about the latest unlocking:
A much-awaited day
Kochi-based college student Shruti Das is enjoying a quick Sunday breakfast at a local eatery, after a morning run. She says, “This had been my post-run ritual until the pandemic ruined it. Absence of indoor dining was a concern when we had to travel, too. It wasn’t just for commuters like me, but for drivers, too. Even with restrictions, I’m cool it’s back.”
Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association’s general secretary G Jayapal says, “At the moment, the 50 per cent occupancy rule doesn’t matter. Most people prefer parcels. There is staff shortage as well. We can’t call back the staff who have left without ensuring they can be paid well. So, we are observing how the situation evolves.”
As for bars, swimming pools, indoor stadiums and more, people are happy there are entertainment options again. Swimming instructor Josy Jose says, “People who have been working in these sectors have also been waiting for this. We have to see how soon the regular users get back.”
The new normal
You can’t run into a restaurant now to escape heat or for group meals, as air-conditioning, table-sharing and the like aren’t allowed. Rakesh R, a hotelier from Thiruvananthapuram, says, “Though people understand the reasons, many customers aren’t happy about ‘no A/c’. People also miss group dining as we are enforcing social distancing. We are now trying to see how to have cooler interiors during the hot weather.”
Theatres, galleries are in the queue
Ever since theatres were closed in April, audience and cinema owners have been waiting for a reopening. Even the most-awaited films like Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham and Thuramukham are in the queue. According to K Vijayakumar, general secretary of Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala, we should be able to enjoy movies in theatres from Puja holidays, this year. “We are hoping that by then, the current restrictions are lifted. And we are doing all it takes to ensure pandemic regulations are in place, and enforce even stricter than how they were done during the previous re-opening in March. Only the fully vaccinated will be allowed for shows, with our ticket counters asking for the certificates before entry,” he says. Meanwhile, even as the Durbar Hall art gallery has reopened, many other galleries have not been able to follow suit. Geetha Sai of Gallery 27 in Kochi says, “The long period of closure calls for some maintenance works in galleries . But we are hoping to line up shows by the end of October.”
A tendency to forget the pandemic
The enthusiasm to reopen isn’t always shown when it comes to ensuring that the safety precautions are strictly enforced, many complain. For instance, chartered account Joby George, from Thiruvananthapuram, who has been a regular walker at the recently opened Museum Ground in the city, says, “Compared to the past, we have less than 50 per cent of walkers now on Museum Ground. But the safety precautions are not effectively enforced. When we enter the premises, we are instructed to walk in one direction only, but when the officials of the place come in, they arrive from the other direction as that is how they can reach their offices. Eventually, the arrangement confuses people and they start walking in both directions. Also, sometimes, the automatic sanitiser dispenser kept on the premises isn’t switched on. Moreover, about 80 per cent of the walkers have their masks down, which shouldn’t be encouraged.” Shruti adds, “Unless each of us follow the protocol, we can’t say this would be the final reopening. And it’s important for all of us to remember it.”
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