3 years later: How Covid pandemic and the lockdown remain fresh in memory

Three years after the Covid-19 lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Business Standard reporters went around the capital city

Ram Babu, a 67-year-old florist in downtown Conn­a­ught Place, recalls how his business went for a toss during the pandemic. He finds it challenging to put a figure to the losses he has incurred since 2020, when flowers hardly had any takers. All he remembers is that Covid-19 has been the “biggest tragedy” for his business.

A 30-something chef working at a prominent restaurant in New Delhi’s Khan Market laments that not only did customers disappear even when the outlets opened after prolonged lockdowns, but there was also the additional cost of ensuring Covid protocol including change in the seating