Souk Al-Mubarakiya markets were usually flooded with people in the last hours of the year, as visitors gathered to until the hours after midnight, to bid the year farewell and welcome the new one. However, this year, attendance for any sort of New Year festivities will likely be small due to fears over the coronavirus, Al Rai daily reported.
In the absence of a festive atmosphere, and due to health regulations, the markets of the heritage area, with their historical flavor, are falling into troubles.
For his part, Abu Ali, a worker in the restaurant, said that the turnout is very weak and there are fewer people going to restaurants, so they are not ready for New Year’s celebrations, and given what is circulating regarding the coronavirus spread, it caused a low turnout in the first place.”
Noting that restaurant owners are suffering from the inability to pay rents, he stated that the low customer turnout and declining revenues, has put great pressure on restaurant owners.
For his part, Muhammad Salim, a restaurant and café manager, wished that “the pandemic which has caused complete paralysis for restaurants and cafés will disappear for it deprived us of the festive atmosphere for the New Year, which was filled with celebratory activities in previous years. There was a great turnout of tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, citizens and expats of all ages.”
Awad Al-Enezi, who works for a popular troupe, sits at the traditional Dalaloua Café.
He says, “There will be no celebrations or any festivities, due to the health conditions. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, we have not worked or participated in any celebrations, including ones held at the Mubarakiya markets, where previously there were celebrations featuring dances and displays of folklore, but all of these things will not happen.”