When the Government announced that Lautoka would be locked down from Thursday, March 19, 2020, Ajend Kumar said he knew things would go south very quickly.
He operates Bhavish Sweets Enterprises, a must-stop for anyone travelling between Lautoka and Ba.
Today he reported he was closed for business for the first time in 10 years.
Motorists and even buses would pause at the popular confectionary cart as passengers scrambled for their favourite Indian savouries.
People travelling abroad also made up a considerable slice of Kumar’s business.
“My business is here only because of the people who travel between Lautoka and Ba,” the 51-year-old said.
“This is the first time in 10 years that I have been forced to shut down.
“And the hardest part for me was when I had to send my 10 staff home and I couldn’t tell them when we will open again.”
Mr Kumar said he lost $3000 worth of savouries and raw material on Thursday, March 19, the day the shutdown was announced.
“It was a huge loss but it couldn’t be avoided because of the type of savouries and sweets we make.
“I hope and pray that the coronavirus will go away so that life can go back to normal.”
