Delhi Metro, buses at full capacity from Monday; cinemas, theatres to open at 50%: DDMA

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro and public buses in the city will operate at full seating capacity while cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will open with 50 per cent occupancy from Monday, according to the DDMA's latest unlock guidelines issued on Saturday.

The city witnessed an unprecedented surge of cases and deaths during the second wave of Coronavirus in April and May. The situation seems to have been improving over the past few weeks, allowing the government to reopen the city in a phased manner.

According to authorities, Delhi recorded zero Covid fatality, the second time since the onset of the second wave in the city with 66 fresh cases on Saturday.

The latest unlock guidelines by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said the Delhi Metro, the city's lifeline, will be allowed to operate with 100 per cent seating capacity from Monday but no standing passenger will be allowed.

Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will be allowed to open with 50 percent seating capacity from July 26, while business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions will also be allowed, but only with business visitors, the guidelines said.

The order stated that intrastate (within NCT of Delhi) movement of buses (DTC as well as cluster) shall be permitted with 100 per cent seating capacity.

"In the case of buses, boarding shall be allowed only from the rear door while de-boarding shall be allowed only from the front door. No standing passenger shall be allowed. Public transport such as autos and e-rickshaws (up to two passengers) / Taxis, Cabs, Gramin Sewa & phat phat Sewa (up to two passengers) / Maxi cab (up to five passengers) / RTV (up to 11 passengers) shall be allowed," the order added.

It also directed that number of people allowed at marriage functions and last rites will be raised to 100 from Monday.

Spas can also open from July 26 but all employees need to be fully vaccinated or undergo RT-PCR test fortnightly, the DDMA said.

Till now, funerals/last rites were permitted with a ceiling of 20 people while marriages at home or in court were allowed with a ceiling of 20 persons. Marriages in halls/banquet halls were allowed with a ceiling of 50 persons.

The owners of the banquet halls, marriage halls, hotels etc. shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of Covid appropriate behaviour (viz. wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing and use of sanitisers etc.) to contain the spread of the virus, it said.

"In case, any violation is found, strict penal/criminal action shall be taken against the owner of the premises as well as against the individual and the premises shall be sealed forthwith," it added.