PUNE: The increase in the number of patrons waiting for a table between 8pm and 10pm is getting difficult to manage and becoming a worry for restaurateurs. The Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association (PRAHA) has now demanded an extension in the operational deadline from 10pm to 11.30pm.
Industry sources said that business has picked up for most eateries after the deadline for dine-in was extended till 10pm at 50% seating capacity. However, the rush has increased even on weekdays now, sources added.
Praful Chandawarkar, director of Malaka Spice, said, “The government should extend restaurant operation timings till at least 11.30 pm because it is difficult to handle the crowd that gathers due to restricted deadlines. The number of patrons increases between 8-10 pm on all days. An extension would help spread the crowd over a longer period and reduce risk as well”
Epidemiologists had also given suggestions on similar lines to the state governments in the past, as deadline extension for establishments is the best way to preclude crowding in spaces prone to high footfall.
Ganesh Shetty, president of PRAHA, said that the association had recently approached the government regarding the extension. “However, we were told that such a request will not be taken up till at least Ganesh Chaturthi this year, as there are also a host of restrictions on Ganesh mandals. The authorities have asked us to wait until after the festival, when they may take a decision if the number of Covid cases remains low,” said Shetty.
