Weekend curfew, odd-even lifted in Delhi

New Delhi: Amid repeated calls from traders and market associations seeking relaxation in Covid-19 curbs, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday lifted the weekend curfew and the odd-even restriction on shops, also allowing non-essential shops in the city to reopen besides okaying dine-in services at restaurants and bars, cinema halls and theatres at 50 per cent capacity.

But despite continued calls from parents, teachers and the Delhi government, the L-G Anil Baijal-led DDMA chose to keep schools and educational institutes in the Capital shut with officials saying that the decision will be revisited in next week's DDMA meeting.

Officials added that the relaxation in curbs is coming in light of the rapidly-improving Covid scenario here but maintained that the night curfew (10 pm to 5 am) will remain in place for at least another week.

In addition to lifting restrictions on economic activities, the DDMA has also allowed government offices to reopen at 50 per cent capacity and increased the cap on guests for weddings.

Wedding venues have been allowed to have guests 50 per cent of its capacity not exceeding 200 in attendance. Till now, only 20 people were allowed to attend wedding ceremonies at home.

Further, the cap on attendees for funerals has also been raised to 100, as per the DDMA order issued late on Thursday night.

While markets and shops have been allowed to reopen, they have been prescribed strict timings. As per the order, markets will be allowed to operate from 10 am to 8 pm and the same timings will be set for malls.

For restaurants, the opening times have been set between 8 am and 10 pm while bars have been asked to restrict their timings from 12 pm to 10 pm.

Furthermore, the DDMA order said that gyms, public swimming pools, and spas will remain closed until further directions.

Following the meeting, the L-G tweeted that keeping in view the decline in cases, it was decided to gradually ease restrictions while ensuring adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour.

"It was agreed to revoke weekend curfew and to open markets without the odd-even rule. It was also decided to open all government offices with 100 per cent strength up to Grade 1 level," he added.

The DDMA meeting also decided to strictly enforce and enhance Covid-appropriate behaviour and other guidelines to check the rise in cases, officials said, adding that those found not enforcing the protocol strictly enough will be acted upon.

The L-G also advised the health department to enhance vaccination coverage with a special focus on vulnerable sections and also to undertake necessary epidemiological analysis of hospitalised patients.

While the DDMA's decision led to calls of satisfaction among traders, restauranteers and other businessmen, parents and teachers said they were extremely disappointed with the decision to keep schools shut noting that any phase-wise reopening should begin with schools given the ramifications of the frequent shutdowns over the last two years.

The Delhi government has expressed solidarity with the parents and taken the stance that it was extremely important for schools to be reopened as soon as possible. In fact, the Delhi government had suggested that schools be reopened — at least for the older classes in Thursday's DDMA meeting, but the L-G-led DDMA chose to be cautious.

Sisodia had on Wednesday said: "...excessive caution is now harming our children. A generation of children will be left behind if we do not open our schools now."

Significantly, the Capital on Thursday reported a little over 4,200 fresh Covid cases in a day as the daily positivity rate dipped further to under 10 per cent. However, 34 more Covid deaths were reported in a day as the active cases came down to 33,175.