There is a plan to train street vendors to live with the new normal forced by Covid-19 and sustain their business

With the Covid-19 pandemic showing no signs of dying down anytime soon, it has led to the creation of a new normal in almost all spheres of life. Socialsing and catching up over a good, strong cup of tea, too, may never be the same again.

The complete lockdown imposed in India on March 25 has eased and restrictions have been lifted in stages. Businesses and markets have reopened but with many organisations encouraging their employees to work from home, roadside tea stalls have seen a drop in customers.

According to an article by BBC those who have started operating again have seen their customer numbers plummet, with office workers still being encouraged to work from home. “Even those who are reporting to work aren’t taking the risk of socialising at tea stalls, having been encouraged to maintain social distancing,” the article says.

But there is hope round the corner. The BBC article points out that the National Association of Street Vendors of India is planning to train street vendors to help them revive their businesses.

Recently, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has announced a scheme to give street vendors loans of up to 10,000 rupees. The objective is to use these loans as working capital to revive their businesses.