The bar is open. This is a clarion call that Goa had forgotten for long. Now with shutters to go up in taverns and bars and restaurants ready to serve alcohol, the hospitality sector has a lot to cheer. But does this augur well in terms of health precaution needed at COVID cases shows no signs of abetting
The mood of the people of Goa was decidedly mixed.
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Vincent Baracho a regular to local bars and pubs felt it was a Catch 22 situation. He said “The economy has to open but the number of cases is increasing dramatically every day. I was at a restaurant and I could see people sitting close to each other and having food. Where was the social distancing? People have to earn money to fed families and pay off loans but I think we have to try something different. The restaurants and pubs will have to perhaps rework their business model perhaps and allow only half the regular numbers. Something has to be done. The virus is running around and the moratorium on loans has now ended. My favourite restaurants in Panjim may now open because they would earn a large percentage from alcohol sales. Let’s see how this works out”.
Savio Amaral however, was happy with the lifting on the sale of alcohol saying that with everything having opened it was not good to keep these outlets shut. He said “They have been suffering since March and perhaps now is the time to lift all the restrictions. Yes, I am aware the number of cases has increased dramatically in the last week or so but then we as people will have to discipline ourselves and maintain social distancing. Everything has changed and we will now have to live with it and importantly adapt”.
Elvis Fernandes, however, begged to differ. He said “I don’t think this decision should have been made now. By allowing things to go back to the ways of old, it will result in an increase in the number of cases. They should have waited for some time until an antidote to the virus was found. They have waited for seven months, they can wait for two more months I think.” He said he would continue to relax at home and consume his spirit sitting on the terrace and generally avoid going out but would have to for his business.
Diogo Braganza echoed his sentiments and felt the bars should have remained shut. He said none of the restaurant owners or those in country bars would follow social distancing because they were focused on earning money to pay staff and to wipe out outstanding that had grown in the last couple of months. This he said was just not safe.
Zaheer D costa felt he understood the financial reasons behind the move. He said “People in that industry have been hit very hard but I don’t think the government has the ability to control the spread that could take place due to this move. I understand the economic welfare of the people also matter and people are now dipping into their savings. I hope it works out fine”.
Donovan Vaz, who runs the biggest liquor and is an important distributor, mainly in South Goa, agreed with the decision saying that even if restaurants were open Goans would not go out to eat because they would like to have wine or a beer with their meals. Now perhaps with this move the local the population would perhaps visit but it would also be important for everyone to follow the sops.
