Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (SP)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Apr 27: After the weekend curfew came to an end on Monday, coronavirus-related restrictions were in place. But there was a noticeable increase in the vehicular traffic in both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Because of the confusion about the revised guidelines and as there was a hunch that lockdown is about to be announced, the people queued up before the markets and shops to make purchases to keep enough stock to handle exigencies. As expected by the public, the state government announced a 14-day lockdown. 

Even though several business establishments in Mangaluru were closed, vehicular traffic and rush of the people was considerably more. A large number of vehicles were seen parked in front of shops which were open. Some of the electrical, textile shops and cyber centres operated by keeping the shutters half open.

Udupi

In Udupi, police and municipal officials forced shops dealing in footwear, textiles, gold ornaments, mobile recharge, fancy stores etc which had been opened, to shut down. People were particularly in a hurry to buy pulses, rice, flours, soaps and other items of daily need. Even the wholesale grocery stores made a brisk business.

On Tuesday, many areas in Udupi witnessed traffic jams as people rushed to purchase groceries. 

Hotels are allowed to deliver parcels but the hotel owners wonder how they can do business if the people do not move about. Therefore, most of them have planned to close the hotels and send the staff on leave. As the number of travellers swelled, Mangaluru divisional controller, H S Arun, said that additional buses are planned to be run. Workers employed in smaller shops and also those engaged in fishing at Malpe gathered at the bus stand and began to wait for their buses. There was also a rush at the wine shops where heavy purchases were recorded.