The COVID-19 pandemic has displaced many workers and smothered numerous businesses. While laid of employees are trying to make a living by learning new arts, many businesses are still waiting for the government’s directives to reopen. Like the tourism sector, entertainment business owners hope to reopen their businesses as the government starts relaxing restrictions on movement and sports.
According to the owners of karaoke, night clubs and Drayang, if the government allows to reopen their businesses, they will ensure COVID-19 safety protocols to be in place.
“We are hoping for the government to permit us to reopen our business. In case if we can reopen, we are going to follow the COVID-19 safety health protocols such as using hand sanitizer, handwashing, wearing masks, checking body temperature and allowing a limited number of people so that physical distance can be maintained,” said Namgyel Tshering, the Chairperson for Bhutan Karaoke Association.
The government has given them the option to diversify their business into bars or shops, but they said reopening their business will be more helpful to them and their staff as they have invested too much in setting up their businesses.
“If we turn our karaoke into a bar, there are not many customers. Again, we have been questioned by the Police that they have not received any order that karaoke can be opened and run as a bar. As the source of income is very low for people working in these entertainment sectors, it is very hard to invest in other businesses and even if they are financially supported by the government they would not have many ideas to implement it. Therefore, it will be of help if we can reopen our businesses,” he added.
It has been eight months since they have shut down their businesses. The owners of the entertainment sectors are struggling to pay the high rents and meet their basic needs.
“For the staff working in Drayangs, their problem has been immediately resolved as they received kidu from His Majesty. However, the Drayang owners have to face the main struggles. When it comes to house rent, its in the hands of the house owners. The rents that Drayangs pay all over Bhutan vary from Nu 100,000 to 15,000 at the least,” said Kelzang Phuntsho, the chairperson of Bhutan Drayang Association.
“Drayang has been closed for eight months now. I have been continuously paying 50% of the rent. My rent was 100% waived off for 3 months. And we heard that other Drayang owners are paying 100% rent and are struggling. Our government is doing a great job fighting the COVID-19 and we are hoping to reopen our business soon,” added Deki, a Drayang owner in Phuntshogling.
According to them, they have been keeping up with the rules until now, but it is high time for them to reopen their businesses as the unlocking process has begun in other fields. They explained that karaoke and Drayangs are not that different from restaurants and bars.
“For almost three to four months despite facing many problems, we did not appeal or complain to the government knowing everybody is struggling and we have to bear it. Now, we explained all our struggles clearly to the Prime Minister. However, until now as a Bhutan Karaoke Association, we have been only discussing the problems and not come up with a proper solution to resolve it,” said Gyem Dorji, a member of Bhutan Karaoke Association.
The karaoke and Drayang owners say that it will be their responsibility to ensure following the health protocols when they reopen their business.
Kinzang Lhadon
