thiruvananthapuram merchants in the city have sought governments permission to open shops at least for limited hours even as the twoweek lockdown nears its end they alleged that while the benefits of the lockdown are not at all clear the economic losses inflicted on them were hugekerala vyapari vyavasayi ekopana samithi representatives held a meeting via video conference on saturday to discuss the crisis they decided to raise the demand amidst reports that restrictions would continue in city after the conclusion of the second week of the lockdown on sundaylater in the day chief minister pinarayi vijayan confirmed the rumours and said that restrictions would continue in the citythough the lockdown was imposed in the city the government has admitted that cases of community spread are increasing community spread cannot be controlled only by closing shops it can be controlled only if people become cautious and take precautions said kamalalayam suku state senior vice president kerala vyapari vyavasayi ekopana samithi till that happens shutdowns are not going to help he pointed outthey said that in line with many cities across the world that have found lockdown to be ineffective the state government should also grant permission to open the shopswhile the city district and state borders still remain open we demand that the government explain the benefits of lockdown by closing shops added sukupointing out their grievances the traders said they have to pay rent and salaries to their staff though they are suffering an income squeezes s manoj who owns an optical shop and rents out furniture said that there had been no business for more than two months as weddings and other programmes are scheduled during these months i had bought some new furniture on loan to rent out for functions i have not even unpacked the goods there had been no business as no functions are permitted now the optical shop also cannot be opened as it is located in the city limits i have to pay rs 25000 rent and also salary to four employees it is a difficult time for traders and the government should at least convene a meeting with us before enforcing another lockdown said manojaryasala suresh who owns a household article shop at chalai said it is his only source of revenue i am struggling to pay the wages of the staff the authorities should permit us to open the shops for at least a few hours daily said suresh two days ago members of kerala hotel and restaurants association had sought permission to resume parcel service in the city