PUNE: Many restaurant and bar owners on Friday sought clarity over the night travel restrictions, a day after the civic body allowed the eateries to be open till 1.30am.
“Even if we are keeping our shutters open till the extended closing deadline, customers are concerned about breaking curfew as many are confused whether the night restrictions are still being implemented,” said a bar owner from Baner.
Other restaurateurs are concerned about the availability of transport for their staff amid the confusion. “Considering that it takes about an hour to wrap up after the last call, and the transport situation is not as frequent or convenient as pre-Covid time, making it difficult for them to get back home,” said a resto-lounge owner from Koregaon Park.
A customer Manisha Jaisingh said, “There is a lot of fake news about curfews and restrictions, which on further probe seems to be old news or that of another city.”
“Many people see police on their regular patrol rounds at night and assume it is to implement the curfew. This is because of the effect the on-and-off curfew situation, unanticipated emergence of new variants leading to sudden rise in cases, has had on the general public,” said Rohit Agarwal, another customer.
Pune police clarified all restrictions on movement in the city have been lifted. Pune police commissioner Amitabh Gupta said, “While all curfews have been lifted, Covid-appropriate protocols are stillbeing implemented.”
Ganesh Shetty, president of Pune Restaurant & Hoteliers Association, said, “All member restaurants are following safety protocols and implementing regulations by the PMC.”
