While there is the illusion that it is Christmas shopping with crowds in city streets, fairs and malls across the island, shop owners complain about the value of purchases and restaurants announcer that they are struggling to reach the 50 people at a time, as allowed according to the regulations.
Crowded but low value purchases
Port Louis, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, Vacoas-Phoenix, Curepipe, Rose-Belle, Flacq… the shops in these traditionally crowded places are open, and masked to avoid fines. Shopping is done, but it is the low value items that attract the buyers. “The cheap stuffs are easily sold. It’s worse than Christmas in 2020,” say shopkeepers, and even firework vendors, who struggle to sell fire crackers or fireworks. The shoppers straight out state that “times are tough” and they prefer to spend on more useful things. Food, drinks, alcohol, clothes and shoes but not from the big brands, make-up, Christmas decorations, cheap toys, some household appliances, TVs, telephones but also hardware items, including tools and renovation products. A visit to the Espace Maison in Forbach and Mr Bricolage in the Croisette Grand Baie illustrates this trend.
Hungry for the cheap foodstuffs
As for the restaurant owners, they announce very few reservations and even less than the limit of 50 people at a time stipulated in the health regulations. One restaurateur at the Croisette Mall even says he is “envious of those Briani vendors in Triolet, Goodlands and Port Louis, who only need a van as a location and hungry people“. Others say to take comfort in the Covid reason and the Omicron panic, but when faced with the amount of people moving around, they prefer to think that people are spending less. One café owner even lament that “people prefer to buy coffee in cans in supermarkets“.
Fines are flying
Business is not going as well as expected. But one business that is doing well at the moment is the fines served by the 10,000 police officers deployed in the busiest places. According to Inspector Siva Coothen of the Police Presse Office, “359 people have been given a fixed penalty of Rs 2000 for not wearing a mask in the last 24 hours.” Nevertheless, these policemen are looking after the health and safety of the population by ensuring that the sanitary instructions are well respected by the public. They are patrolling everywhere and will also be there to control bars and discotheques that have illegally or clandestinely opened. Inspector Siva Coothen also warns of the presence of patrols that will check drivers at Breath Testing and Mobile Breath Test Caravans set up at strategic locations
The reality is sadly nostalgic as traders have hoped that the festive season would boost their financial health. But the most serious thing is that people are exposing themselves unnecessarily by wearing their masks under their noses or under their chins! The country has recorded only 28 positive cases on 24 December, but vigilance must be maintained at all times.
