Couples throw caution to the wind, reunite sans masks, social distancing

Till lockdown do us part – this seems to be the latest vow for Kolkata’s lovebirds, who have started thronging old haunts and new in their quest to spend some

lone time

after months of separation. Days into Unlock1.0, couples have started reuniting at public places. As most traditional lovers’ joints -- Rabindra Sarobar Lake,

Central Park

and Victoria Memorial – remain closed, they are reclaiming their spots at Princep Ghat and Outram Ghat besides malls and

Academy of Fine Arts

. Setting an example of brazen violation of lockdown and safety guidelines, several young men and women are roaming hand in hand without masks, flouting social distancing norms and staying undeterred by the pandemic scare, much like they were right before the lockdown.

Open spaces

preferred over malls
When Sonarpur’s Sumit Das and Dum Dum’s

Piyali

Roy decided to meet up on Monday after almost three months, they chose Princep Ghat. "Since theatres and parks are closed, we were left with just two options -- the ghats or the malls. We thought Hooghly would be a great view for our much-awaited meeting," said Sumit. For Piyali, meeting in an open area is the safest possible option. "There is no reason for us to visit a mall apart from eating or shopping" she said.
Most couples who were seeing each other for the first time after March said it was difficult to stay apart and virtual meetings lack intimacy. “Now that public transport is back, we couldn’t wait to be physically close. So many plans have to be discussed before our special day," said

Reshmi Chakraborty

, who is getting married to beau Pritam Das next March.
‘It’s risky but exceptions can be made’
About 90% of the couples we spotted were not wearing masks. When asked, they said it’s extremely difficult for them to talk with masks on. Those who had especially decked up for their date didn’t wish to keep their faces covered. "I know it is risky, but exceptions can be made for a few hours," said

Priyanka Ghosh

, a student of Presidency University, who was at the Princep Ghat with her partner on Monday.
Besides the ghats by the Hooghly, some couples are also choosing the open stage area in front of Academy of Fine Arts and malls for meetings. Though many of them are avoiding malls because of centralised air conditioning, they go there just to grab a quick bite or for urgent shopping needs.
Street food vendors rejoice
Though the footfall remains close to half of what it used to be in pre-lockdown days, street food vendors at Outram Ghat are happy to be back in business from noon to 8 pm every day. "This place has always been a lovers’ paradise. We are happy that the crowd is gradually increasing here," said Mihir Shah, who sells pav bhaji. Though many food stalls are still shut and boating services suspended, the central location of the ghats attracts couples looking for a midpoint.


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