Lifting of Friday curfew in Jordan revives businesses, boosts revenues

AMMAN - As businesses were given the green light to operate on Fridays, shoppers bounced back “enthusiastically”, saying the move would help revive their hardly-hit businesses.

Welcoming the government’s announcement to lift Friday curfew, merchants said that expressed relief, describing the decision as “invigorating” for the market.

They also said that they hope to emerge stronger after the pandemic is over.

“There is no doubt that the government’s lifting of Friday curfew would eventually increase the demand, but the sales are currently stable and customers’ turnout remains limited given it has only been the first Friday without the lockdown,” Riad Hanini, a restaurant owner told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

He said that one day would not make demand go back to normal, but would help in boosting the volume of sales, expressing hope that Friday curfew is never reimposed.

He also said that extending shops’ opening hours has greatly helped all businesses, adding that many of his customers show up only on Fridays.

Keeping in mind physical distancing and health preventive measures, shoppers and their families were noticeably excited to visit their favourite stores in downtown Amman on Friday, Rajai Awadi, owner of an antique bazaar told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

Awadi added that the government’s decision has revived the market and increased the sales.

Sarah Hussein, a beauty salon owner confirmed the positive effect of lifting the Friday lockdowns, adding, “Friday is a family day and it is the time when people meet with their friends”.

“I think things will get better each week as people get used to going out again on Fridays,” Hussein noted.