COVID-19 impact: Business yet to pick up pace across Shillong

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: Even after the textile and garment shops were allowed to be opened in parts of the city since May 29, the business has not picked up, informed many shop owners in an around police Bazar area.

Speaking to this reporter, they attributed the cause of slack trade to very few customers visiting the market due to various factors.

" Among the reasons for the poor turnout of customers can be the lack of transportation services and also because of the fear among the masses in general about coronavirus and the increase of COVID-infected persons in the State," said a shop owner.

Another businessman said that it is difficult to increase the sale in their shops because certain protocols and guidelines have to be followed.

"Customers usually like to inspect the products they want to buy, and this takes time. And if a shop is small in size, only a certain number of customers can be allowed inside; and this also directly affects business," he pointed out.

A few others informed that in the past two days (May 29-30), only a handful of customers bought various items from their shops each day.