Hyderabad: In a situation similar to last year’s lockdown, roads in the city are once again being evacuated as fear of being infected with COVID-19 keeping citizens indoor.
Across the city, the situation has largely traffic decrease even during peak hours.
The tense situation of the ongoing situation is evident given that Telangana has reported more than 5,000 new cases on Sunday. COVID-19 cases have been increasing rapidly in the city in the last few weeks, with the Greater Hyderabad region being the number one daily. On Sunday, about 800 cases were from the state capital.
Major markets and businesses also appear to be poor, as most people have decided that they will be safe rather than sorry. Traffic is reduced to such an extent that one can travel between Secunderabad and Hitech city, even in about 30 minutes, even in the evening.
Earlier this week, traffic during peak evening hours was low. There was also free flowing traffic on the busy Madhapur-Jubilee Hills-Nagarjuna Circle Road on Saturday, which was highly unusual.
“Many people are not venturing outside, and our business is down at least 50%. There will be no place to walk or drive in Ramadan, especially around 6pm. Now, I am able to go from the High Court to Abids in less than 10 minutes, ”said Shahzad M., a resident of Old City.
Even on Sundays, which is usually a choc-a-bloc with party goers and outgoing people in the evening, there was an apparent silence among business establishments across the city.
A resident of Kukatpally, said that his gated community has more than 40 COVID-19 positive cases, causing no one to enter or leave unless it is absolutely necessary.
Except for a few other establishments such as general shops, medical shops and hotels, most other businesses are once again seeing a decline in revenue.
On Sunday, state Health Minister Etala Rajender also asked people in the state to be very vigilant and wear masks without fail.
In Hyderabad, the Hyderabad kirana merchants Association announced that it would be self-closing at Begum Bazar from 5 pm. Daily in view of increasing COVID-19 cases.
However, shoppers in the commercial area were mostly not interested in following the diktat, as most of the places are normally open as of last week.
