With the Covid-19 pandemic situation improving, the Delhi government has eased movement restrictions even more, and Metros and buses will run at full capacity starting Monday. Cinema halls and theatres will reopen across the national capital, but at half capacity, while bars will be open from 12pm to 10pm with a similar arrangement.
Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., all shops are allowed to operate on all days of the week, with no distinction between essential and non-essential goods and services. Auditoriums and assembly halls will reopen with a 50% seating capacity as part of the unlock measures.
“It has been observed that the number of Covid-19 patients and the positivity rate has declined considerably and the overall situation has improved,” the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said in an order on Saturday. However, it cautioned against “consolidating the entire Covid-19 management process.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which had been running trains with 50% seating capacity until Saturday, has added 16 additional entry gates to as many stations across the network as of Monday to handle an increase in commuter traffic. Janakpuri West, Karol Bagh, Vaishali, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, and MG Road are among these stations.
The new rules, on the other hand, are unlikely to have an impact on the long lines that have formed outside Metro stations in recent weeks.
Intra-state buses can also operate with 100 percent seating capacity, with boarding and deboarding only from the back door.
Weddings can have a maximum of 100 people in attendance, according to the DDMA, and the same rule applies to funerals.
Visitors will not be permitted to visit religious sites in the national capital.
The DDMA stated that all spa employees will be required to be vaccinated and will be subjected to RT-PCR tests every two weeks. Staff should wear PPE kits for treatments that last longer than 30 minutes.
“It is further directed that the market trade associations, banquet halls, marriage hall associations, gymnasiums and Yoga institute association, other trade associations and resident welfare associations shall also be responsible for ensuring compliance of Covid appropriate behaviours by all shops, malls, markets, market complexes, offices, weekly markers, clinic, banquet halls/marriage halls and residents within their respective areas,” the order stated.
