From mishti to marijuana, this is what counts as "essential" during the lockdown
Because different cultures have different needs, governments across the world are making exceptions for relief from the COVID stress
Raj Aditya Chaudhuri
Published: Apr 03, 2020 | 13:53:48 IST
W for weed; W for well-being. Coincidence? Photo: Unsplash
One thing is for sure, this viral pandemic has made us take a cold, hard look at what is absolutely essential to us. Most countries around the world are currently operating with only a skeletal set of essential services without which life simply wouldn't be possible. Adversity truly does focus the mind. Simple joys such as going to restaurants and bars, attending a concert, hitting the gym, taking an international flight to go on holiday or even just commuting to work have been relegated to a long list of "luxuries" we have had to leave behind in 2019, all thanks to COVID-19.
For most countries, the list of these essential services is pretty standard. The roster usually includes healthcare, energy providers, communications, food supply chains, law and order forces, some government services, critical manufacturing, financial services, basic civic services and defense. But not all societies are even and what might seem frivolous to someone in Brazil could be essential to someone in China. Here is a list of some of the unusual "essential services" from around the world that reveal a lot about the local cultures.
Essential services helping the world cope with the coronavirus lockdown
Cannabis in The Netherlands
The local government has flip-flopped on keeping coffee shops and cafes selling cannabis open. They initially shut them down but reversed course a few days later. Sex shops remain closed but bicycle stores in the cycling-mad country remain open.
Wine in France
Élysée Palace decided it was too much to ask its citizens to do without the services that make the French who they are. So boulangeries selling baguettes remain open for business as do wine merchants, delis selling cheese, butcheries, tobacco shops and dry cleaners.
Fries in Belgium
The country that gave the world fries (the ones the French have appropriated) can't do without them even in a time of crisis. So restaurants and food stands selling fries can remain open for business. The government also decided hair salons were too important to do without but ruled that hairdressers would have to coif up customers from an impossible distance of 1.5m (5ft). It was only at the insistence of the union that represents hair salons in the country that the government decided to ask them to shut down.
Guns and liquor in the United States
March was a record-breaking month for #gun sales in the #US, as gun stores remained open as "essential" businesses amid the #coronavirus crisis. 🧐😷 pic.twitter.com/cKCEr3USnG
— THE HERETIC (@admit2sin) April 3, 2020
The US Department of Homeland Security announced gun stores to be an essential service in the country. Stores selling the weapons in the city of Los Angeles immediately reopened for business. Golf courses in Arizona, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina remain open as these states classified the sport as an essential activity that could be enjoyed while keeping your social distance from other golfers. California and Colorado reversed their decision to close down cannabis dispensaries. Now, the two along with the 31 other American states where recreational use of marijuana is legal, have decided the dispensaries provide an essential service. Liquor stores are absolutely necessary to provide New York some relief during this difficult time while Floridians can still look to a higher power for guidance at their church services that the state has deemed essential.
Alcohol in the United Kingdom
While bars and pubs remain closed, off-license liquor stores (carry and go) are essential to the Brits and remain open across the country. Bicycle shops are also open for business.
Churches in Brazil
The President ruled that church services are an essential service for the "survival, health and safety" of the population. Some states, including Rio De Janeiro, have gone against the ruling and closed churches down anyway but many across the country remain open.
Sweets, fish and alcohol in parts of India
Closer home, the state of West Bengal has decided Bengalis cannot do without their daily dose of mishti (sweetmeats) so now these shops will remain open all afternoon. And to protect consumers from rising prices as a result of the state-wide lockdown, the West Bengal government will provide an essential service and sell raw fish to consumers directly through an app. In Kerala, while liquor stores are closed, the government is also providing an essential service to a very specific portion of the population, alcoholics. The state will provide a minimum amount of drink to those going through withdrawal symptoms due to the statewide shutdown of liquor stores.