Coronavirus lockdown: LRU, LSMA urge govt to allow resumption of businesses immediately

The representatives of the Lahore Restaurants Unity (LRU) and Lahore Super Markets Association (LSMA) on Thursday held a meeting with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) office-bearers and apprised them of the losses which they occurred on account of lockdown due to coronavirus.
Chairman Lahore Restaurants Unity Amir Rafiq Qureshi and President Lahore Super Markets Association Ahmad Nawaz and Chairman Marriage Halls Association Mian Muhammad Ilyas briefed the LCCI leadership that closure of restaurants and super markets have not only put investment of billions of rupees on stake but also rendered thousands of employees jobless and they are facing starvation. They urged the government to allow resumption of their businesses immediately as prolonged lockdown has destroyed their businesses to the extent and heading towards no point of return.
"Restaurants owners and Marriage Halls Association have demanded opening of businesses while Super Markets Association has called for extended time for businesses. "Hundreds of restaurants have been closed, which cost jobs of thousands of daily wagers and labourers besides loss to the national exchequer," they said. The government has allowed various other businesses to open but these businesses are kept closed. They said that restaurants and marriage hall owners are ready to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government to contain coronavirus spread but businesses should be opened immediately.