New Delhi: With a decline in the daily COVID-19 cases, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday allowed private offices to function with 50 per cent staff but maintained that weekend curfew and other restrictions, including the odd-even rule for opening shops in city markets will continue.
The DDMA, headed by L-G Anil Baijal, took the final call on continuing with the weekend and night curfew (along with the odd-even rule) despite strong recommendations from the Delhi government that these curbs should also be eased along with continued representations from traders and market associations here.
Even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had written to the L-G, seeking that these restrictions also be lifted in light of the rapidly decreasing cases of Covid-19, L-G Baijal overruled him and directed that the status quo be maintained on the restrictions till the situation improves further.
However, the DDMA approved private offices to reopen physically with 50 per cent staff capacity.
The order issued by the DDMA said it has been observed that as the number of COVID-19 cases and positivity rate are witnessing a decline, some prohibitions or restrictions may be revised in areas outside containment zones. "Therefore, all private offices shall be allowed to function with up to 50 per cent of attendance with immediate effect in the NCT of Delhi (outside of containment zones)," the order said.
The DDMA further advised private offices to stagger the office timing and the presence and quantum of staff to reduce the number of employees in office at the same time to ensure social distancing.
It, however, added that private offices are advised to follow the practice of work-from-home as far as possible.
"It is also clarified that night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am everyday and weekend curfew from 10 pm of Friday till 5 am of subsequent Monday, on the movement of individuals in NCT of Delhi, shall also remain in force in the territory of NCT of Delhi, till further order," the DDMA order stated.
The order clarified that other prohibited and restricted activities, which include the odd-even rule for opening shops, no dining services in restaurants etc, shall remain unchanged and will be in force till further order.
Even as the city has been reporting declining new cases every day, the Delhi government on Friday reported 10,756 new infections in a day with the daily positivity rate falling further to 18.04 per cent. However, the city also reported 38 more Covid deaths in a day - taking the death toll from the virus here to 25,541.
On Thursday, the city reported 12,306 fresh COVID-19 cases and 43 fatalities, with the positivity rate dipping to 21.48 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.