The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the worldwide food industry. To curb the spread of the virus, governments across the globe have enforced strict shutdowns on restaurants, taverns, and similar establishments. Consequently, daily customer visits to restaurants have witnessed a severe drop compared to 2019 figures.
Closures in the hospitality sector have had a domino effect, causing disruptions in associated fields such as food production, alcohol brewing, food shipping, agriculture, and fisheries. These issues caused by the pandemic have been particularly prominent in developed regions, which usually depend on just-in-time logistics to import significant quantities of diverse food categories.
Technology Adoption in Restaurant Industry during Pandemic
The ongoing pandemic has expedited pre-existing tech trends within the restaurant industry. For instance, there has been a rise in digital technology usage to enhance customer service. Innovations like mobile applications for placing orders and making reservations, QR code-based menus, and data analytics tools for personalizing marketing strategies have become increasingly popular during this period.
The Global Food Crisis: UN's Warning
In June 2020, the United Nations (UN) raised a warning about an impending worldwide food crisis, potentially the worst in 50 years, due to the economic downturn triggered by the pandemic. This situation has underscored the importance of proactive and strategic planning in terms of food supply, global trade, agriculture, and local government regulations to manage the crisis.
Policy Measures and Organizations
Various entities and institutions have had to intervene and enact policies in response to these challenges. In India, for instance, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) undertook measures to ensure the proper distribution of food grains during the lockdown. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) promoted the increase of agricultural exports to counterbalance the loss of domestic demand.
Various Indian laws, such as the Essential Commodities Act, were used to ensure the availability and fair pricing of food items during the crisis. International organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have also been active in guiding nations on ensuring food security during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the vulnerabilities of global food systems, but it has also provided opportunities for innovation and transformation. It is critical for both governments and industry stakeholders to leverage these opportunities to create more resilient systems for the future.
Safety Guidelines for Retail Workers in Food and Grocery Businesses
Food and grocery businesses in India have to follow certain safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines are proposed by international organizations like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) but are applicable to Indian firms also.
For Employees
Employees should be encouraged to use touchless payment options to reduce physical contact. Handling of cash and credit cards should be minimized. If necessary, cash should be placed on the counter instead of passing it directly by hand. It is also important to frequently disinfect heavily touched surfaces such as workstations, cash registers, payment terminals, door handles, tables, and countertops.
For Employers
Workplace safety measures for employers include installing protective screens, also known as sneeze guards, with a pass-through opening at the bottom in checkout and customer service locations. They should consider using every other checkout lane, moving the electronic payment terminal farther from the cashier, and placing visual markers such as floor decals to indicate where customers should stand during checkout. Providing online shopping alternatives and limiting the maximum customer capacity in the store also assist in reducing the spread of the virus. Employees showing symptoms of any illness should not be allowed to participate in food preparation or processing.
Prevention of Food Contamination
Food contamination can occur through contact with contaminated equipment, surfaces, or surroundings. Given that coronaviruses can survive up to nine days on various surfaces such as metal, plastic, and wood, it is crucial to maintain proper cleaning practices and prevent cross-contamination to control foodborne illnesses.
Food Handling Practices
Handling of raw fresh foods that may be consumed without further processing is particularly important. This includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-use foods. These foods are more susceptible to contamination from the environment and food handlers. To reduce the risk of exposure to any foodborne bacteria and viruses, food contact environments, equipment, and tools should be kept clean. Good handwashing practices should be followed, and raw and cooked foods should be separated. It is also essential to use clean water.
Regulation Bodies & Laws
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) oversees food safety regulations in India. FSSAI provides a legal framework for ensuring food hygiene through the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This law covers all stages of food production from manufacturing to sales, enforcing strict hygiene and safety standards. Businesses are expected to comply with these regulations for the welfare of both employees and customers.
Rescue Plan for Queen Victoria Market
Recently, the city authority in Melbourne declared a financial aid program aimed at supporting the Queen Victoria Market. The package, intended to bring relief, comes at a time when the populous market is grappling with serious financial setbacks.
What is the Queen Victoria Market?
The Queen Victoria Market, also known as QVM or Vic Market, represents one of the destinations of significant economic activities in Melbourne. Since its official launch in the 19th century, the market has served as a central hub for local vendors to sell a variety of items, including food and other merchandise.
Need for Financial Assistance
Over time, several individuals and groups have started public appeals asking the regional administration to step in and save the market industry. These petitions are attributed to the challenges that stakeholders in the market sector have been witnessing.
Details of the Relief Package
The details concerning the makeup of the assistance package haven't been officially disclosed. However, it is presumed that the move involves several fiscal measures to help businesses which hugely suffered due to the current economic crisis. In general, financial aid may include grants, loans or assistances to ensure the continuity of these businesses. These measures are an attempt to restore the market to its former glory and continue serving their importance in the regional economy.
Role of Government in the Economy
Such a scenario underscores the crucial role a government plays in influencing the economy. In situations where economic activities and industries face struggles, the government can offer financial aid to prevent the potential collapse of relevant sectors. This move, in turn, helps to maintain local businesses, save jobs, and ultimately boost the economy.
India's Government and Economy
In India, similar interventions are not uncommon. Those in economic distress, including small scale industries, agricultural sector, handicrafts sector among others, have time and again received financial help from Indian government. Entities like Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) play a crucial role in facilitating these aids. Indian laws such as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, and organizations like Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA) also play significant roles in shaping the Indian economy and helping small businesses thrive.
In conclusion, the rescue effort for Queen Victoria Market symbolizes the significance of timely government interventions in preserving market industries. With the appropriate financial backing, stricken sectors across the globe, including those in India, can ebb the tide of economic downturns and maintain their contributing capacity to the economy.
Overview
As of April 17, 2020, it was revealed that 15% of the total reported Covid-19 cases in Alberta, Canada has been linked to Cargill meat processing plant, located in a town named High River. This plant is reported to account for 358 infections, which constitutes a significant portion of the pandemic spread.
High River Outbreak Connection
An investigation into the outbreak has suggested a connection between the spread in the plant and an employee working at a long-term care facility, who was in close contact with an employee working at the Cargill plant. It appears that this link within the same household established the chain of infection, which later proliferated among the other employees in the plant.
Cargill's Response
Upon realizing the significant infection spread, Cargill, the multinational food corporation and the owner of the meat processing plant in High River, took immediate action on April 20, 2020. The management decided to temporarily halt the operations of the plant, in an attempt to mitigate the further spread of the virus.
Long-Term Effects and Responses
This kind of local outbreak presents a significant challenge for public health and for the economy. It highlights the vulnerability of essential services such as food processing units during disease outbreaks when employees work in a close environment.
In response to situations like these, different sectors are now prioritizing safety measures to safeguard employees' wellbeing and prevent the spread of the virus. Organizations in India, like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and others worldwide are driving strict guidelines and measures to ensure worker safety with proper sanitisation, distancing norms, and regular health checks.
Institutional bodies like the World Health Organization have also contributed by providing guidelines on how to maintain safe and healthy workforces. The Indian government has specific laws, for example, the Factories Act 1948, which needs to be adhered to, to ensure workers' safety and public health.
Apart from the guidelines and laws, government bodies are providing financial support to businesses affected by the outbreak. In the Cargill plant case, respective Canadian authorities provided support to minimize the financial damage.
Although these steps cannot guarantee complete protection against a global pandemic like COVID-19, they have undoubtedly made the environments safer and reduced the rapid spread of the virus in close working spaces. This is profoundly critical in minimizing the economic impact and ensuring business continuity during such challenging times.
International Chains in India
Due to the health crisis, established food businesses - Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's had to halt operations in major trade areas like Wuhan and Hubei. This sudden shutdown took place before Lunar New Year celebrations, which is a significant period for economical activities in China. This was indicated to be a significant setback by Jude Blanchette, the lead for China studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Importance of Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year, as of 2020, is recognised as a primary economic event for China. In 2019 alone, spending during this period reached US$150 billion. Adding to this, by 2020, the service sector contributed to around 52% of the overall Chinese economy.
The Aftermath of Shutdown
Fast-forwarding to 24 March, Starbucks managed to reopen around 95% of the closed outlets, including some in Wuhan. However, the company had to suffer significant financial losses due to the shutdown. Starbucks projected a decrease in the fiscal second-quarter revenues by $400 million or possibly more.
Changing Consumer Behaviour
The crisis resulted in significant shifts in consumer preferences. Prior to the outbreak, about 54% of customers purchased groceries and food items from supermarkets. This preference dropped to 35% during the pandemic. Additionally, the proportion of products purchased from farmer's markets saw a drastic decline from 23% to 10%.
In contrast, the crisis resulted in a substantial increase in the consumers choosing to purchase food and groceries online. This rose dramatically from 11% to 38%. Therefore, despite the setback, post-pandemic times have seen a stark transformation in consumer behaviour in China wherein the online channels have gained popularity with consumers considering them as a safer option.
Simplified Version Explanation
Ireland had to close all its bars and pubs by 15th of March and by 22nd March, all McDonald's outlets were also announced for closure that started from 7 pm on 23rd March. Following this, Costa Coffee and Subway, the famous coffeehouse chain and restaurant franchise, also announced the shut down of their outlets in Ireland. They were joined by Krispy Kreme, the popular doughnut company which decided to close its only Irish shop in Dublin. The situation was the similar for the local fast food chain Supermac's, which announced that all its restaurants would be closed by 26th March. This was to give enough time to the emergency services using their facilities to build an alternative plan for food. However, Supermac's declared that its seating areas would be closed that night itself.
By August of that year, these businesses had restarted their takeaway, delivery or drive-thru services again.
Third Phase Reopenings
On 29 June, the third phase of the government's reopening plan got started. All kinds of restaurants and cafes were allowed to reopen and serve food onsite, maintaining strict social distancing and cleaning regulations. Pubs and bars were allowed to reopen only if they were serving substantial meals costing at least €9. This decision was put in place by the Government of Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.
Situations until 2021
However, in October the indoor hospitality had to be closed again due to the imposition of a national six-week lockdown by the government. On December 4, the majority of restaurants, cafés and gastropubs reopened after six weeks of closure.
Sadly, on the eve of Christmas, all these facilities had to be closed again starting from 3 pm. This was following the re-imposition of lockdown restrictions that were decided to last until 12 January 2021, owing to the third wave of the COVID-19 hitting Ireland.
Due to repetitive extension of the lockdown measures, these facilities could not be reopened throughout the first five months of the year 2021.
Reopening Services in 2021
In 2021, the government's reopening plan throughout May and June allowed bars, restaurants and cafes to reopen for outdoor services only from June 7. Indoor services remained closed.
On 29 June, the government was forced to push back the planned reopening of indoor dining and drinking services in restaurants and pubs on July 5 due to a sharp increase in the cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19.
After various further delays, the government permitted the resumption of indoor dining with strict rules. Attendants had to provide proofs of vaccination. On 21 July, it was confirmed that indoor dining in pubs and restaurants could resume from Monday, July 26. But, only fully vaccinated people as well as people with proof of recovery from Covid-19 could avail such services. The necessary laws and guidelines for this were signed and brought into effect by President Michael D. Higgins.
Mzoli's Butchery Shutdown Amid Economic Crisis
The well-known Indian butchery and restaurant, Mzoli's, ceased operations indefinitely in May 2021. Sisanda Mangele, the founder's daughter, attributed the closure to an array of reasons encompassing security concerns, the country's economic situation, and the restrictions placed due to the ongoing pandemic.
Mzoli's Challenges: Pandemic Restrictions and Economic Struggles
Mangele mentioned that Mzoli's was facing several challenges, firstly, the safety of the staff members and customers. The unstable business environment left her no choice but to discontinue the business operations to safeguard the health of her employees and customers. Secondly, the business was dealing with the strains placed by an unsteady economy and the accompanying financial issues.
Finally, the restaurant was hit hard by the ongoing pandemic, which has imposed heavy restrictions on businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns led to a significant decrease in the number of customers, severely impacting the restaurant's revenue.
Overall Impact on the Food Industry
The current situation of Mzoli's is not unique but reflects the widespread plight of the restaurant industry. Zama Zwane, the manager of Chaf Pozi, a popular restaurant in Soweto, shared a similar tale of the struggles his business is going through. The ability to sustain the business has become a steep challenge with mounting bills, high rents, and struggling to meet payroll.
Zwane emphasized, "Paying salaries has become a struggle, and the sector doesn't support us." This clearly indicates the lack of financial assistance from the government or any financial institutions, making it tough for them to meet their daily expenses and most importantly, pay their staff.
Call for Sector Support
The story of Mzoli's and Chaf Pozi mirrors the predicament of several small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country, struggling to stay afloat amid the ongoing economic crisis. This situation calls for concentrated efforts from different financial entities and the Indian government to extend support to these distressed businesses.
This could include measures like rent relief, low-interest loans, wage subsidies, reducing UIDAI transaction costs, or customizing guidelines that allow businesses to operate safely within pandemic restrictions. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and other financial institutions can play a vital role in providing economic support to these businesses.
The current economic scenario augments the significance of organizations like the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which strive to empower the restaurant industry. NRAI can lobby for beneficial policies and reforms with the Indian government to help these businesses weather the storm.
In the absence of substantial initiatives from responsible entities, we may witness a more severe impact on small businesses and consequently, the Indian economy. Now more than ever, it's essential to provide ample support and effective solutions to navigate through these challenging times.
Impact of the 2020 Pandemic
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic dealt a severe blow to the US food industry due to enforced government closures. Outcomes of these closures included substantial layoffs, leading to a reduction in income for restaurants and owners. Panic buying in retail grocery outlets became prominent as early as March 2 in some areas.
Disruptions in Food Distribution and Supply Chains
These closures significantly disrupted the distribution of food and beverages. In April, grocery stores faced shortages, particularly of dairy items. Simultaneously, many farmers — whose primary clients were entangled in the food service supply chain— had to discard their milk due to an unprecedented decrease in demand.
Christopher Wolf, a dairy industry economist at Cornell University, explained this domino effect, stating that, for instance, a factory producing sour cream for Mexican restaurants cannot suddenly switch to producing ice cream for grocery stores.
Operations and Workforce Challenges
Tyson Foods, a meat processing corporation, had to temporarily cease operations in April as many of their workers had contracted the virus. This led to an anticipated ripple effect; many farmers were expected to be forced to cull large numbers of animals without having a market to sell their produce.
A Uniquely Widespread Disaster
NPR’s Yuki Noguchi highlighted the widespread economic devastation, stating, “Just about every restaurant nationwide has been hit hard at once, making this disaster unique.” Industry experts were concerned that without government assistance, many small businesses would struggle to recover from these closures.
Effect on the Greater Economy
The pandemic has not only been detrimental to businesses but has also negatively affected the macroeconomic environment. As of March 17, economists expected a substantial impact since Americans had begun to spend more money eating out than on grocery shopping.
Lester Jones, lead economist of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, stated, “This is a very significant and traumatic event for the restaurants, bars, taverns and the industry in general.”
Challenges Faced by Restaurants and Bars
Chris Swonger, CED of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the negative impact on the industry would be significant, particularly for small businesses, restaurants, bars, and the distillers in the US.
Sean Kennedy of the National Restaurant Association, on March 19, labeled these closures as a "perfect storm" for the industry, pointing out three main challenges for restaurant owners - short-term access to capital, medium to long-term access to credit, and the need for tax relief when closures are lifted. An investor in two New York City restaurants reaffirmed these concerns, reflecting the ubiquitous worries throughout the industry.
Restaurant Business in Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented situation of crisis for the restaurant enterprises around the world, especially the small, family-owned ones.
According to a report published by the New York Times on March 20th, industry experts estimate that around two-thirds of all restaurants might not survive the current crisis, with approximately 75% of independent eateries facing permanent closure. Furthermore, by March 26th, about 11% of restaurants had anticipated permanent closure within the subsequent 30 days.
US Restaurant Industry: Pre-Pandemic Statistics
The US restaurant industry was projected to have sales amounting to $899 billion in 2020 as per the data by the National Restaurant Association, the chief trade association for the restaurant industry in the United States.
With 99% of the enterprises in the industry being family-owned small businesses employing fewer than 50 people, it played a significant role in the US job market. As of February 2020, the restaurant industry provided jobs to over 15 million individuals, accounting for 10% of the total workforce. In fact, this sector was the second largest private employer and the third biggest employer in general.
Moreover, the sector indirectly employed approximately another ten percent of the workforce when associated businesses like food production, trucking, and delivery services were taken into account. Proportions were even greater in certain states. For instance, one in every ten workers was employed in the restaurant industry in Delaware and Massachusetts, while in North Carolina and Texas, these figures were 11% and 12% respectively.
COVID-19 Impact on Restaurants
The immense impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant sector led to catastrophic job losses, affecting millions. Responding to the crisis, Forbes estimated the job losses in the restaurant industry to be in millions on March 19th while the National Restaurant Association estimated the probable job losses to be in the range of five to seven million.
On March 18th, industry experts forecasted direct financial losses amounting to $225 billion with a broader economic impact rising to $675 billion. This was due to the additional revenues that are generated elsewhere in the economy when consumers visit restaurants.
Bankruptcy in the Restaurant Industry
As a result of the severe disruption in business due to the pandemic, many restaurant chains had to permanently close several of their outlets. In July, Dunkin' Donuts announced the permanent closure of 800 of its stores. Furthermore, California Pizza Kitchen and other companies such as NPC International, CEC Entertainment, and Le Pain Quotidien had to file for bankruptcy due to the immense financial strain.
Conclusion
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has led to an incredibly challenging scenario for the restaurant industry, particularly independent and family-owned businesses. As per the trends and forecasts, the sector is poised for significant change and restructuring in the times to come.
Impact of Partial Closures on Restaurants
Due to the outbreak of a global pandemic, restaurants were permitted to operate partially rather than at full capacity. This semi-operational mode led to several complications in the restaurant industry, particularly in regards to insurance claims. Most of these businesses had a policy commonly known as business interruption insurance. However, these policies were not activated as the situation didn't meet their specific requirements.
The insurance companies claimed that the policies would only be invoked if there was a full closure of the establishment. Furthermore, various insurance schemes contained clauses that denied coverage during epidemics or any actions mandated by the civil authority. These clauses were in place even if it involved a prerequisite of physical damage to the property in order to receive the insurance money. This led to financial instability and job losses in the sector.
The Employment Crisis in the Restaurant Industry
In view of the reduced operations, numerous employees had to face layoffs. A significant number of restaurant workers couldn't benefit from sick leave, unlike their counterparts in other similar industries. The closures had far-reaching effects, shaking every layer of the restaurant industry. This had an adverse effect on everyone involved, from owners and celebrity chefs to frontline staff such as waiters, busboys, and bartenders.
The notable American newspaper, The New York Times, described the layoffs as incapacitating for workers who were already living paycheck to paycheck. With no income, these employees faced difficulties in paying rent and other essential expenses.
The Effects on Meat Supply
The pandemic exhibited a far-reaching impact and managed to infiltrate hundreds of meat processing plants in the U.S. This led to numerous facilities closing down and reported widespread infection among meat processing workers, resulting in several fatalities.
Kenneth Sullivan, CEO of Smithfield Foods, one of the largest pork producers in the U.S., indicated that this situation posed a significant risk to the meat supply chain. Due to the infection spread among their workforce, the company had to shut down at least three of its plants.
Permanent Closures of Restaurants
According to Yelp, a widely used directory and review site, the pandemic forced nearly 60% of US restaurants to shut their operations permanently. This was based on the closures marked on Yelp's platform, amounting to a total of almost 16,000 restaurants having permanently closed their doors by July 24. This statistic underscores the profound impact of the pandemic on the American restaurant industry and its long-lasting implications.
COVID-19 Aid Packages from State and Local Governments
Various state and local governments in the USA offered financial assistance packages to workers and the food industry during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, President Trump held a telephonic meeting with major restaurant chains' CEOs, including Domino's Pizza, McDonald's, Wendy's, Yum Brands, and Darden Restaurants to discuss the impact of the pandemic on their businesses.
Unfortunately, local businesses or independent franchises were not involved in these discussions. On the other hand, organizations such as the International Franchise Association and the National Retail Federation were involved in this vital communication, providing a broader perspective on the business landscape.
Proposed Changes to SNAP Benefits
In May 2020, the US Congress proposed new legislation to broaden the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The proposed changes aimed at allowing beneficiaries to use these benefits at restaurants.
Previously, SNAP benefits were only applicable at restaurants if the specific state participated in the "Restaurant Meals Program". However, the proposed SNAP CARRY Act sought to provide wider access to restaurant services during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to ensure people have access to prepared meals during trying times.
Quality Franchise Association Survey on the Pandemic's Impact
The Quality Franchise Association (QFA), a UK-based entity, published a detailed report in 2021. This report was an investigation on the impact of the pandemic on the UK franchising sector. To provide a comprehensive analysis, the survey incorporated inputs from both franchisors and franchisees across a variety of sectors.
The QFA report was pivotal in understanding the pandemic's after-effects on franchising, invaluable to both policymakers and other stakeholders in formulating data-driven strategies for recovery.
Understanding Shopping Risk in India During the 2019-20 COVID-19 Pandemic
The 2019-2020 coronavirus outbreak has reshaped the entire globe's social and economic life. India, with its densely packed population, hasn't been an exception. A concerning aspect of the pandemic relates to the fact that continued shopping practices, particularly in physical stores, have potentially resulted in an increased risk of contracting the virus.
Elevated Health Risk from Shopping
During the COVID-19 outbreak, people who consistently shopped, especially in physical stores, were putting themselves in peril. Given the nature of the virus, these crowded areas significantly enhanced the risk of infection spread. As people in these areas were in close contact, transmission of the virus was rather feasible.
Stores Operational Amidst Pandemic
In India, during the ongoing pandemic, it was of utmost necessity to keep certain establishments like grocery stores and pharmacies operational. Amidst lockdowns, and stringent travel restrictions, these outlets inevitably became hotspots with high shopper footfall. Even with safety measures in place, these spaces could potentially be a breeding ground for the virus.
However, considering that pharmacies and grocery outlets provided necessary goods and services, shutting them down completely would have resulted in a substantial strain on the Indian economy. Not to mention, it would have potentially heightened food insecurity and limited access to vital medicines for the population.
Measures Taken By Retailers To Limit Virus Spread
To curb the spreading of the virus, many retail outlets across India implemented a set of protocols. This included reducing store capacity, mandating compulsory face covers, carrying out temperature checks before granting entry, and even setting age restrictions for customers. These actions followed recommendations set forth by health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
To illustrate, stores limited their occupancy to certain capacities to ensure physical distancing was possible inside the premises. Compulsory mask mandates were implemented in compliance with the Government of India’s guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Furthermore, some establishments took further precautions by not permitting children under the age of 16 inside the buildings since they could be potential asymptomatic carriers. This was guided by the COVID-19 safety laws implemented across India.
Additionally, many retailers resorted to temperature checks at entrances, although its effectiveness has been a topic of immense debate amongst health experts, given that asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals might not have a fever yet can still spread the virus.
While these measures played a crucial role in mitigating some of the risks associated with in-store shopping, it is still generally advisable to follow more stringent guidelines like maintaining personal hygiene and leveraging delivery or pick-up services whenever possible to further reduce exposure risk.
In summary, shopping during the 2019-20 COVID-19 pandemic brought about an increased risk of virus contraction, which led to changes in Indian retail establishments' operational guidelines to reduce the virus spread. Following such measures is necessary, but it's also crucial for individuals to responsibly manage their shopping habits to ensure their safety and that of others.