Will those hay days come back again?

Once a buzzing market, Manama was turned into a ghost street eight-month ago by the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has claimed over 1,050,966 lives by now. As the number of infections continues to heap, the eerily silence here reminds of a ghostly galleon, with no one is seen out in the streets or the market.

The stillness of the King Fahd causeway was then another worry brimming in the tourism sector, with no tourist can be seen anywhere as the pandemic sweep across the world.

Lockdowns across the world imposed to break the chain of transmission also exposed to us how woefully ill-prepared was the world in meeting the needs of millions of daily wage laborers. And spending was the last thing on the mind of many, who have lost their jobs or business at the time of an economic slump.

However, the country is rebounding with the stimulus package in place and through other umpteen measures. Now, Bahrain is slowly getting back on its legs. 

AlAyam after having a glance at the old market says hopes are not lost. The market is showing signs of recovery with customers walking back to stores with added protection.

The words of Mahmoud Al-Namliti, one of the old market traders, confirm this optimism. AlAyam’s report quoting Mahmoud Al-Namliti, says that despite all the hardships, traders here are optimistic about the outcomes of the efforts of Team Bahrain.

He has high regard for various government initiatives, especially the support of "Tamkeen", which helped traders to defend the difficult stage. The crisis is far from over, and it has also changed society in lasting ways. But as they say, "where there is a will, there is a way". The Old Manama Souq and its occupants know that well.

Manama has a special place in the bosom of all, as it had in ancient times.

There are now more 150 stores thronging its streets which are more than 80 years of age. Navigating through the streets, through its tiny stalls and cafes, was a regular affair for most before the COVID-19 shook the world.

Now traders there honestly hope that those days hay days will return. For that to happen, what it needs is strict compliance to coronavirus and preventing measures that require a firm commitment to wearing masks in a public setting and observing social distancing measures as recommended by the Government executive committee.