Mumbai is a city that never sleeps, with its bustling streets and never-ending energy, it is a hub for fashion and entertainment. But in recent times, the city has seen a drastic change in its landscape. With the government granting permission to reopen malls, the mall owners have chosen to keep their stores closed. This article attempts to explore the reasons behind the lockdown and the impact it has had on the city.
Government Permission Granted
The Maharashtra government had recently granted permission to malls to reopen after months of lockdown. This was seen as a step in the right direction as it would help in the revival of the economy. The government had also issued guidelines to ensure that safety standards were maintained.
Mall Owners Lock-Up
Despite the government’s permission, mall owners have chosen to keep their stores closed. This has caused confusion and dismay among the citizens, who are now wondering why the stores are not opening.
Reasons Behind the Lockdown
The primary reason for the mall owners’ decision is that they are not seeing enough footfall to make it viable to open their stores. With the pandemic still raging, people are hesitant to venture out and this has resulted in a decrease in the number of customers.
Another reason is that the cost of opening the mall is too high. The government has issued guidelines that need to be followed in order to maintain safety standards. This includes providing masks and sanitizers, thermal screening of customers and employees, and social distancing. All of these add to the cost of running the mall and makes it difficult for the owners to open.
Impact of Lockdown
The lockdown of the malls has had a significant impact on the local economy. The shops located in and around the malls have been severely affected as they are dependent on the footfall from the mall. The decrease in footfall has caused a drop in their sales and has resulted in a loss of livelihood for many shop owners.
The lockdown has also had a negative impact on the entertainment industry as the cinemas located in the malls are also closed. This has resulted in a decrease in revenue for the industry and has caused many people to lose their jobs.
Conclusion
The lockdown of the malls has had a negative impact on the city of Mumbai. The decrease in footfall and the cost of opening the mall have been the primary reasons behind the decision of the mall owners. The lockdown has had a severe impact on the local economy, with many shop owners and people in the entertainment industry losing their jobs.
===OUTR
