Most hotels remain shut in Ambala

Tribune News Service

Ambala, June 11

Even four days after the government allowed hotels, restaurants and shopping malls to operate, most of them in the twin city of Ambala remained shut.

A visit to various parts of the district revealed that small time eateries and joints were operating for take away and home delivery services but most of the big hotels and restaurants had not opened yet.

Most of the local hoteliers, to whom the correspondent spoke, were finding the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) “unviable” for opening of hotels and restaurants. “The restrictions make it difficult to operate and ensure compliance,” said a local hotelier MC Sharma.

Another leading restaurateur Sandeep Goyal said the conditions such as the closure time of 8 pm and not allowing more than half the seating capacity were the major hurdles in their operation.

“Provision of action against the owners for breach of sanitisation, face masks and social distancing by the guests could lead to our exploitation,” rued another food industrialist BS Sandhu.

However, some of the hotels and restaurants in Lal Kurti area and close to the highway have resumed their operations after remaining shut for over 75 days.