Delhi eases Covid-19 restrictions; schools to remain shut

The decision to relax the curbs was taken following a DDMA meeting chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal with Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier in the day

With Covid-19 cases coming down, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday decided to ease restrictions in the capital by lifting the weekend curfew, allowing all shops in markets to open as well as re-opening of bars, restaurants and cinema halls with 50% capacity.

While governments will also start functioning with 50% staff, officials said a decision on reopening of schools will be taken later.

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said it was decided to gradually ease restrictions while ensuring adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour in view of the decline in positive cases.

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While the LG had last week rejected a Delhi government decision to lift weekend curfew, the DDMA meeting chaired by Baijal decided to ease the restriction on Thursday following further decrease in cases.

Similarly, the meeting also decided to remove the restrictions on opening of shops in markets. Earlier, an odd-even scheme was followed in the opening of shops.

Restaurants, bars and cinema halls will be allowed to open but with 50% capacity.

Marriage related gatherings are allowed to be held with 50% capacity of the venue, subject to a maximum of 200 persons.

The meeting also advised the Health Department to enhance vaccination coverage with special focus on vulnerable sections and also to undertake necessary epidemiological analysis of hospitalised patients.

It also asked agencies to ensure strict enforcement of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and to continue to be vigilant without lowering the guard.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Ministers Satyendar Jain and K Gahlot, NITI Ayog member Dr V K Paul, ICMR head Prof Balram Bhargava, NCDC chief S K Singh and Krishna Vatsa of NDMA among others.

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