How Life Can Change After Lockdown

Fewer flights & costlier fares likely — to ensure social distancing, 50% seats in multiplexes, stores may limit entry, restaurants to push for private dining

- Nirbhay Kumar

For about one and a half months, the Centre has halted travel by air, metro rail and inter-state buses across India to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Hotels, restaurants, cinemas, malls, gyms, sports complexes, schools, colleges, besides social, political, cultural, religious and other gatherings, have also been shut.

But even when the lockdown is lifted, or more curbs go, life will never be the same again. Major changes await people as the country will have new ways of shopping, travelling, checking into hotels, watching movies or even dining out.

Most companies engaged in providing services like air travel, retail, food & beverages (F&B) and hotels are expected to cut down their offerings in initial months as they follow social distancing norms and slash cost overheads in the face of tough business environment.

Post-lockdown plans are being charted as the government gets ready to lift further restrictions. Most industries expect demand to remain subdued at least till October before the festive season lifts consumer sentiment. Hoteliers, airlines, retailers and shopping mall managers say they intend to play it safe when they re-open.

After zoning out districts and areas among red, orange and green on the basis of coronavirus case numbers, the government has substantially removed curbs outside hotspots and allowed stand-alone shops and establishments to open. It has signalled that more economic activities would be permitted after May 17, the last date of lockdown 3.0.

To be sure, the classification is revised at regular intervals and if no coronavirus cases are found in an area, it can be declared as green zone by the government.