Pune malls struggle with new Covid-19 restrictions

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 30, 2021

Malls in Pune are facing further challenges as the state and civic body have ordered malls and multiplexes to close early due to rising Covid-19 cases in the area. 

As India faces rising coronavirus cases and a threat of local lockdowns, malls in Pune have reported losing around 80% of business, which usually takes place in the evening, TNN reported. Malls in Pune now have to remain closed from 8pm to 7am daily. Many have also reported only functioning at an operational capacity of 50%.
 
“Malls will hardly have any footfalls now with the restricted deadline,” a Pune city mall representative told the Times of India.

“Footfalls had already dropped as Covid cases started increasing. But the 8pm closing deadline has come as a big blow. 80% of mall business happens during the evening hours. This business has now been taken away.”
 
Malls were some of the hardest hit retail establishments during the 2020 lockdown, as many were ordered to remain closed long after high streets began to open up. Malls began to recover in the second half of 2020, opening with social distancing measures in place.

However, with the new round of local restrictions, many will have to further push back hopes of recovery to pre-Covid footfalls and sales.