Unlock 5 guidelines: All weekly markets in Delhi to open now; cinema halls from October 15

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (October 7, 2020) allowed to open all the weekly markets and said that the cinema halls can also resume operations from October 15, as per Centre's guidelines.

So far, only two markets were allowed to open every day in every zone in the national capital due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

"The poor people will get a lot of relief from this," expressed CM Kejriwal.

Earlier in the day, Delhi CM convened a meeting with the delegation of NRAI and officials of various departments for the ease of doing businesses for restaurants across Delhi. 

"The Delhi government is taking measures for the economic revival of the hospitality industry," said CMO Delhi.

Notably, Delhi has seen a decline in coronavirus infections from the past few weeks. As of October 6, it has reported a total of 2,95,236 COVID-19 cases, of which, 22,720 are active. 

As part of Unlock 5, the centre has allowed cinemas, theatres and multiplexes to open with up to 50% of their seating capacity. 

In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons.

The theatres have been directed to operate with up to 50% of their seating capacity with one seat-distance. Multiplex show timings shall be staggered, so as to not have an overlap of show timings. Sufficient time interval between successive screenings on a single screen as well as on various screens in a multiplex shall be provided to ensure row-wise staggered entry and exit of the audience. Seats that are 'Not to be occupied' shall be marked as such during booking (for both online booking and at the box office sale of tickets). The 'Not to be occupied' seats inside cinemas/theatres/multiplexes should either be taped or marked with fluorescent markers to prevent people from occupying these seats so as to ensure adequate physical distancing at all times. 

Temperature setting shall be in the range of 24°- 30°c. Relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%

Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.

On the other hand, all the schools in the national capital will remain closed for students till October 31 which was announced by the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia on October 4. 

By making the announcement, Sisodia put to rest the speculations of parents and students who wondered if there was to be a partial reopening of schools in Delhi, as allowed from October 15 in Unlock 5.0 guidelines issued recently by Union Ministry of Home Affairs.