Around 500 people have been prosecuted every night for violating restrictions over the past week and many of them have complained that they didn’t have enough time to reach home after eating out.
According to a state government notification, except people in medical emergencies or those engaged in emergency services, no one should be outside between 11pm and 5am.
Another government notification says eateries and restaurants will now be allowed to operate till 11pm, making it difficult for police to implement the night curfew from 11pm, several officers said.
Many eateries and restaurants across the city are forced to wrap-up before 11pm to allow a window for their customers to return home. But a large number of Calcuttans are still caught in this duel of deadlines and end up being prosecuted by the police for staying out after 11pm.
“We finished our dinner by 10.30pm but could not make it home by 11pm. Our car was stopped and we were prosecuted at the Patuli crossing. I tried my best but failed to convince the officers that it was not our fault and we were only a few minutes late as our home was a little far from the city centre,” said a resident of a Narendrapur housing complex.
Several police officers said they come across many families who claim they are returning after dinner, but many also use this as an excuse to escape prosecution. “It is understandable if someone is 10-15 minutes late. But we often come across motorists who claim they are returning after dinner well past midnight,” said an officer in Gariahat.
Many restaurants Metro spoke to are taking last orders by 10pm and shutting shop by 10.30pm. Some have issued letters for the employees who leave at night so they are not caught by the police for flouting the night curbs. Many restaurants have arranged for accommodation of employees inside the restaurant.
“We are playing safe and shutting shop by 10.30pm. The last order is around 10pm,” said Nitin Kothari, owner of Peter Cat, Mocambo and Peter Hu.
Several restaurant owners spoke of the problem of following both government orders.
“Because of the ambiguity, we have issued an internal advisory, asking our members to shut shop latest by 10.45pm,” said Suresh Poddar, president of the Hotel and Restaurant association of Eastern India.
A veteran restaurateur who did not wish to be named said they were losing a “humongous amount of footfall and revenue” because of the present rules. But most restaurateurs said it was primarily the customers’ responsibility to ensure they leave with enough time to reach home.
“Whatever their destination may be, they have that timing in mind. By 10.15pm, the crowd starts depleting. By 10.30pm, the restaurant is empty,” said Anjan Chatterjee of Mainland China.
