NASHIK: Business at restaurants, which are operating at 50% capacity, has been picking up even as specialist restaurants are missing skilled staff, as some of them are yet to return due to the threat of the pandemic’s third wave.
“Since restaurants were allowed to function till 10 pm, business has picked up with a larger number of people now opting to dine out. The business is gaining momentum with 60% turnover as compared to that of pre-Covid times,” said Sanjay Chavhan, president of Association of Bar Hotels and Restaurants, Nashik unit.
The wait time at some dining halls and restaurants has also increased lately. People are willing to dine out and enjoy time with family members but, due to restrictions, many have to cancel their plans, especially on weekends.
“We had to wait for more than one hour for the meals that would take up another hour. So, we changed our decision to take the parcel home,” said Aniket Sathe, a local resident.
At the same time, specialist restaurants are still missing their skilled staff even as big hotels and restaurants, which are organised, have managed to get their staff into the kitchens. “The bigger restaurants have got their staff back, but the standalone restaurants are still waiting for their staff as the pace of business is restricted,” Shailesh Kute, director of a private hotel, said.
The reason is that the staff working in the Chinese food segment comes from Nepal, those at most tandoor-centric restaurants come from Odisha and West Bengal, while the non-vegetarian specialists come from Lucknow.
“All the staff rushed to Maharashtra after the end of the first wave. But they had to go back again due to increasing cases in the second wave. Now, they are discouraged with the news about the ‘third wave’ and they are taking their time,” Chavan added.
The organisation has, therefore, appealed to the state government to remove the cap on 50% capacity and limited business hours. “Travellers will need restaurants, hence the government should consider the appeal,” said Chavan.
