After nearly six months, the nightlife of Delhi was resurrected with bars reopening under Unlock 4.0.
Instead of personal details and identification, the bars in the capital now have thermometers and hand sanitizers to welcome customers.
Hauz Khas village, famous for its nightlife with a number of budget bars and pubs, witnessed a handful of customers on the first day of reopening of bars. With mandatory guidelines on social distancing, the bars are only operating on 50 per cent seating capacity.
“Though there are not many customers today, we are hopeful that business will be back on track soon. We have made certain changes in the rules to comply with the pandemic guidelines. The body temperature of each customer is noted down with the name and mobile number. Also, since social distancing is mandatory, we can entertain only 24 customers at a times instead of the full seating capacity of 48,” said Prakash Chandra, general manager, Hauz Khas Official bar.
Along with drink, hand sanitisers have become the mainstay in bars. (Photo: India Today)
The customers, on the other hand, are demanding disposable glasses and plates. With a bottle of hand sanitizer spray available at each table, the revellers are making sure that it is being used extensively at all the items they are supposed to touch.
“Delhiites cannot stay at home for such a long period of time. I am happy that the bars are open, at least I can hang out with my buddies after a long day at the office. It seems like we have to live with this pandemic so why not follow the rules and enjoy life?,” said Kushal Khurana, a techie who visited the bar with his friends.
At many bars, the management is using single-use menus for the customers. Also, as dancefloors and standing and drinking at bar counters are not allowed, the customers are allowed to only sit and have their food and drinks.
Gloves, masks and face shields are mandatory for employees. (Photo: India Today)
“We have deployed staffers to make sure that not more than two persons enter the washroom at one time to make sure that social distancing is maintained. We hope that people will come and have fun like pre-Covid days by following simple rules. The entire nightlife of Delhi and all businesses related to it were badly affected due to the lockdown, now people must defeat the fear and accept the new normal to enjoy life,” said Unnati Singh, manager at a bar at Hauz Khas village in South Delhi.
As bars and pubs reopened, Delhi has reported its highest-ever single-day spike of 4,039 coronavirus cases. This is the first time that the daily Covid-19 tally in Delhi has crossed the 4,000-mark.