BENGALURU: Streets and markets across the state’s capital wore a deserted look this festive weekend and grocery stores, hotels, vegetable vendors, and others say that the curfew has affected their business to a massive extent.

PC Rao, president, Bangalore Hoteliers Association, said: “We have all been told that there is no reason to fear as the virus spreads fast but does not cause much harm. So why is the government forcing this weekend curfew on us? After the second wave, business had started improving only over the past three months. We were just recovering. ”

In the wake of a rapid rise in daily Covid-19 cases, the government late last month declared weekend curfew along with night curfew to halt the spread of the virus. The decision was met with disappointment and derision from retailers and traders as well as several elected representatives, many of whom belong to the ruling BJP.

Although they are permitted to remain open for the general public, vegetable, milk, and meat traders have been badly affected by the government’s weekend restrictions since hotels are buying these supplies in smaller quantities.

“We understand there is a meeting on Monday to discuss and plan a future course of action,” Rao said. “The Bangalore Hoteliers Association has written to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking them to pay attention to our miseries. We sincerely hope they will consider the problems of all traders in the city when they conduct their meeting. ”

Traders point out that weekend curfew hits farmers the most. Mohammed Idrees Choudhury, general secretary, Russel Market Traders Association, said, “Business has dropped by 40% on weekends. Most of the produce sold in the market including flowers, veg- etables, and fruits are easily perishable. If they are not brought to the market and sold within a specific time, farmers have no choice but to throw the produce away and suffer a 100% loss. ”

.Many MLAs too had hit out at weekend curfew, insisting that the pandemic situation does not deserve such harsh state government is taking no chances, especially with the Centre suggesting things could change quickly.