A man reading newspaper in front of a locked shop in Hyderabad on the 4th day of lockdown on Saturday. -Photo: Surya Sridhar
Hyderabad: As the lockdown entered the fourth day on Saturday, the people appear to be slowly getting accustomed to the restrictions, with the crowds at vegetable markets during the relaxation hours slowly thinning out.
Initially, when the lockdown began on May 12, people thronged vegetable markets, supermarkets and kirana stores to stock up essential commodities. However, as the lockdown moved into the fourth day, the crowds have begun to vanish, with not much of rush seen in shops during the relaxation hours.
Many appear to have either stocked essentials already, or turned to online delivery services. Local vegetable markets, chicken and mutton shops and fruit shops, however, are still seeing a steady flow of customers.
Most of the restaurants continued to remain out of service for dining while they have been providing takeaway services through online delivery partners. Small hotels, roadside and mobile tiffin centres were open in the morning hours, doing nominal business. On the other hand, in an attempt to ensure that their business did not completely dry out during the lockdown, garment shops, electronic appliance showrooms and even electronics repair shops have started operating during the four-hour window.
On Saturday, with the lockdown in force and the State government declaring a holiday in connection with Ramzan festival, not many were seen on the roads. The police, apart from the barricades placed on the roads, have been strictly implementing the lockdown rules.
Immediately after 10 am, police patrol cars were seen making rounds ensuring that all shops were shut. They have also given sometime to the shopkeepers and customers to reach their destinations. Following this, the vehicles were checked by the police and people working under the essential services category or with a pass were allowed to commute. The ones who violated the rules were fined.
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