In a show of growing frustration against the ‘no-end-in-sight’ lockdown, business owners and traders have opened stores across the country. With the ongoing lockdown in its 73^rd day making it one of the longest running lockdowns in the world to stop coronavirus from spreading, traders have been forced to face mounting business losses. Running out of patience, they defied government order to keep their shops, stores and offices shut down saying they can no longer afford to pay house rents, staff salaries and clear tax dues without resumption of business activities.

Markets in across the country have opened today with businesses operating for longer hours than earlier days. Stores selling make-up items, liquor, electric items, apparels, among others, categorised under non-essential businesses have also resume their operations. Stores in major market areas in Kathmandu valley including New Road, Ason, Baneshwor, Kumaripati, Lagankhel, Putalisadak, Chabahil and Koteshwor, among other places, are opened for business. Similarly, businesses are also opened in different districts including Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Birgunj, Hetauda, Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Dang, Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj.

Shopkeepers and small store owners have been increasingly defying the lockdown orders the last few days. With the crippling impacts of the lockdown becoming more clearer, the calls to open shops and businesses have grown louder. Small traders have opened their businesses under the leadership of Nepal National Traders’ Federation. The association of small traders has asked businesses to defy the restrictions to resume their activities.

Similarly, major private sector bodies – Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce of Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) have also asked the administration to allow resumption of industrial and business activities.  Durga Raj Shrestha, chairman of supply committee of Kathmandu Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that even the reduced hours of business operation have added to the enthusiasm of business owners. “Business reopening is expected to reach 60-70 percent today,” said Kishore Pradhan, vice president (district and municipal chapter) of FNCCI. According to him, business owners have restarted their activities by following health safety standards and physical distancing measures.

Kathmandu Valley Administrations Allow Reopening of Businesses

All district administrations of the Kathmandu valley have decided not to obstruct reopening of businesses. Amid the intensifying defiance of traders, a meeting between chief district officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur and private sector representatives held on today afternoon, the CDOs said that the local administrations are ready to facilitate resumption of business activities by implementing proper health safety standards. In the meeting NCC President Rajesh Kaji Shrestha presented suggestions to facilitate safe and secure reopening of businesses.