A section of the vegetable market just before Eid (file picture) .
Almost all private businesses, offices, workshops and garages have reopened after the Eid holidays, though government departments will begin working at full capacity only from next Tuesday.
Shopping malls that organised Eid festivities in tandem with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) received thousands of visitors, making these places very busy and crowded throughout the first four days of Eid. Yesterday, these places seemed quieter and closer to normal, with customers looking for goods rather than entertainment.
However roads were quieter with most residents indoors - either at work or spending the remainder of the holidays at home.
“It has been exhausting and I spent Eid helping to manage events. However, it was really thrilling and rewarding to see the joy on the faces of multitudes of people from different backgrounds who visited the mall,,” said a marketing executive at Hyatt Plaza, one of the major participants in the QTA Eid programme. 
At Hyatt Plaza, the Jungle Zone theme park had to display a board that read “The place is very crowded”. Still  families with children insisted on going in so the children who are looking forward to games and rides were not disappointed.
As the weather improved towards the end of Eid, public parks received more families, especially Aspire Park and Sheraton garden at the Corniche.
“The festivities at the shopping mall are good but we need some open space to relax and let the children run around freely. So, as soon as the weather improved we headed out to grab some fresh air before it is time to go back to work again,” said an expatriate teacher.
After the first few days of Eid, Industrial Area returned to normal, especially garages and auto workshops. “This area is so vital it cannot rest for more than one or two days and only partially,” indicated an owner of a workshop.
The Abu-Hamour Vegetable and Fruit market also resumed work immediately after Eid holidays . However,  the market is yet to receive the normal number of customers. It actually has very few fresh goods to display.
“This is the right time to get a good deal with many vendors willing to sell at low prices. Otherwise, they will have to dispose of these goods, which are already a few days old,” said a shopper at the market.