NEW DELHI: In the second phase of unlocking in the capital — with Covid-19 cases falling consistently — all shops at markets and malls, including liquor outlets, have been allowed to open on an odd-even basis from Monday between 10am and 8pm.
Government and private offices too have been allowed to open with riders.
And Delhi Metro will resume its services at 50% capacity, improving mobility in the city.
All shops selling essential goods, including educational books and stationery, and those selling fans in markets and malls, besides neighbourhood shops, have been allowed to open on all days without any restriction on timings.
However, gyms, restaurants, cinema halls, salons, spas, bars, educational institutions, weekly markets and parks and gardens will not open and the bar on weddings at public places will continue.
Takeaways at restaurants have been be allowed.
“Delhi’s Covid-19 situation appears to be improving, and keeping that in mind, we began the unlock process last week,” said chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in a digital address on Saturday.
“It is necessary to bring the economy back on track if the Covid situation begins to get better.
Last week, operations of manufacturing and production units within closed premises in approved industrial areas and construction activities within work sites were permitted.” He said under the odd-even scheme, half the shops will be allowed to open on one day and the rest the next day.
This has been done to prevent crowding at markets, he said.
In all government offices, officials belonging to Group A will have to report for work though only 50% of other manpower is permitted to attend office.
Those engaged in essential services will work on a 100% capacity and the head of the department will decide who will be a part of essential services.
All private offices can open with a maximum of 50% of the staff but they have been advised to ensure that more people work from home.
“The private offices should try to stagger their work hours so that not everyone comes out at the same time,” said the CM.
Though traders welcomed the order to open markets and malls from Monday, they expressed displeasure over the operation of shops on an odd-even basis.
Leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, said the odd-even formula was unlikely to work in the markets and implementing it would be a nightmare.
Bidhuri urged the LG to allow all shops in the markets to open with regulated timings and also permit banquet halls and restaurants to operate with Covid norms.
Delhi had started easing restrictions from last Monday after remaining under a stringent lockdown for about six weeks, which resulted in the rampaging coronavirus being reined in.
Covid positivity rate fell to 0.5% on Saturday amid fast declining deaths.
Only 414 fresh cases were reported.
The CM said the Covid-19 situation appears to be under control.
Owners and employees of shops will be allowed to move around in the city on production of valid identity cards issued by the employer or a valid e-pass issued by the government.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority, which issued the formal order, reiterated that all Covid-19 guidelines must be followed in offices, markets, shops and all public places.
It said that if Covid-appropriate behaviour was not followed, the establishment would have to be closed down besides the owner becoming liable for criminal prosecution.
Market associations and resident welfare associations will be responsible for ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour — wearing of masks; maintaining social distancing; regular hand washing and use of sanitiser; no spitting or consumption of liquor, pan, gutka and tobacco — by all shopkeepers, offices and residents within the premises of malls, markets, shopping complexes, offices and societies.
All district magistrates and police officials have been directed to take strict action against defaulters.
Kejriwal said more restrictions will be lifted after June 14 if the situation remains under control.