Delhi unlock: Metro to operate at 100% capacity, spas, cinemas allowed to open from July 26

Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes in Delhi will be permitted to open with 50 per cent capacity from Monday (July 26).

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New Delhi: The Delhi government has decided to allow Metro trains and public buses in the city to operate at full seating capacity, while cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will be permitted to open with 50 per cent capacity from Monday (July 26).

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) released these latest unlock guidelines on Saturday (July 24). 

Check out the new guidelines here:

1. Delhi Metro can operate with 100 per cent seating capacity from Monday, although no standing passenger will be allowed.

2. Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will be allowed to operate with 50 percent seating capacity from Monday. Business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions will also be allowed, but only with business visitors. 

3. Now, 100 people can attend marriage functions and last rites from Monday.

4. Spas are allowed to reopen with the rider that all employees have to be fully vaccinated or undergo RT-PCR test fortnightly. People who visit spas will be required to fill a declaration form stating that they are not COVID-19 positive, and if they were infected before, they are no longer infected. 

5. Auditorium and assembly halls will also be able to open with 50 percent capacity. 

The national capital which was under lockdown since April started the unlock process in a phased manner on May 31. On April 20, Delhi had recorded 28,395 coronavirus cases — the highest-ever single-day rise. The city's positivity rate had reached over 36% on April 22.

On Friday (July 23), Delhi reported 58 fresh COVID-19 cases and one fatality, while the positivity rate marginally increased to 0.09 per cent, as per the health department data.

Meanwhile, Niti Aayog member V K Paul has cautioned the Delhi government to remain watchful as the next three months are important and unlocking the national capital can lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases. 

In a meeting which was held on July 9 of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Paul had also recommended the authority to consult the Centre before imposing any travel restrictions in Delhi.