Delhi schools to remain shut; restaurant and bars allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Thursday announced that schools in the national capital will remain shut till further orders but allowed the restaurant, bars and cinema halls to operate with 50 per cent capacity as Covid-19 cases dropped significantly.

The decision to this effect was taken during a high-level meeting by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) which was called to review the Covid-19 situation in the national capital.

The meeting also discussed the lifting of restrictions in the national capital in view of the improving Covid-19 situation. The DDMA meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, which was held virtually and attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other top officials.

During the DDMA meeting, a decision to lift restrictions like weekend curfew and the odd-even system in the markets was also taken in view of the decreasing COVID cases in Delhi. The government offices have also been allowed to reopen with 50 per cent staff, the DDMA said.

Another decision taken at the meeting was to allow marriage ceremonies with a maximum of 200 guests in open areas and up to 50 per cent capacity at indoor venues. So far, only 20 people were allowed to attend these events at home. The night curfew imposed on weekdays from 10 pm to 5 am will continue, it said.

“Night curfew to continue. Schools' opening to be taken up in next DDMA meet. Weddings to be held with max 200 people or 50% capacity. 50% capacity for bars, restaurants & cinema halls," the DDMA order said as reported by news agency ANI. 

Last week, the Delhi government allowed all private offices in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, outside of Containment Zones, to function with upto 50 per cent attendance.

The DDMA had, however, advised the private offices to stagger office timing, presence and quantum of staff. Earlier in the month, DDMA decided to impose a curfew in Delhi on Saturdays and Sundays to curb the COVID-19 surge.

Meanwhile, Delhi reported 7,498 new COVID-19 cases during the last 24 hours, said the state government on Wednesday. As per the bulletin provided by the Health Department, the positivity rate for the day has gone to 10.59 per cent. A total of 70,804 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.

During the last 24 hours, 11,164 patients recovered from the infection, taking the total recoveries in the national capital to 17,46,972. As many as 29 people lost their lives to the deadly virus during the last 24 hours. The death toll in Delhi due to the disease currently stands at 25,710. 

The covid death rate stands at 1.42 per cent. There are currently 38,315 active COVID-19 cases in Delhi.