Explained: How fresh Covid curbs may be a death knell for hospitality sector

With many states imposing localised lockdowns and night curfews, restaurants and similar establishments in the country are again staring at an existential crisis. Some experts say that the fresh Covid-19 curbs could be a final blow to many hospitality sector businesses.

It has been less than six months since the struggling hospitality sector found some footing after bearing the brunt of the strict nationwide lockdown for most parts of 2020. The sector suffered massive losses due to the stringent eight-month lockdown that was imposed to contain the pandemic’s first wave in India. The Hotel & Restaurant industry are in deep financial trouble and without the Government’s consideration, it will be staring at a catastrophic disaster.#saveourfamilies #feedouremployeesfamilies #payouremployeessalaries #Myfamilymyresponsibility #Feedmystaff pic.twitter.com/itWi4YeuH1 Many restaurants were forced to shut shop permanently while some barely managed to keep their business afloat, albeit suffering huge financial losses. As a result, countless employees working at such establishments lost their jobs or faced sharp salary cuts. The hospitality sector saw a glimmer of hope as cases dropped sharply in India after the first wave. Businesses like restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels and eateries hoped to recover losses in 2021 as curbs were relaxed. But India’s Covid-19 recovery story has not turned out as they wished.