No rush at city’s hotels as cautious diners stay away

No rush at city’s hotels as cautious diners stay away

Aditi.Mallick@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:09.06.2020

Restaurants and eateries wore a deserted look on Monday as they reopened after more than two months. There was no rush at the eateries as most customers preferred to ‘take away’ than dine-in.

Jagan G went to a restaurant in Panjagutta after driving from Erragadda to meet his friend. He was stopped at the entrance by the watchman, who screened his temperature. “This is the new normal. I have never seen hotels so empty,” he said.

Hotel owners suspect the footfall may remain low as people are still scared of dinning out because of the increase in Covid-19 cases. “We have reopened our three centres - Santhanagar, Kukatpally and Kondapur centre. The footfall was extremely low, less than 100 customers in all centres. People are scared to eat out and most prefer to take food to their homes,” said Mohammed Abdul Majid, owner of Pista House.

Several hotels served food to their customers on disposable crockeries. “There will be no change in hospitality but keeping in view the safety of the customers, we are using disposable plates, spoons and glasses to serve food. Customers will be allowed inside only if they are wearing a mask. The customers have to sanitize their hands at the entrance. We are taking all precautions,” said manager of Dwaraka restaurant in Lakdikapul area. All the staff members in the hotel have been asked to wear gloves, mask and head covers while serving customers.

Only a few people dined in at restaurants in the city on Monday