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Delhi orders WFH for private offices, closure of restaurants and bars
The urgent order from the DDMA came as the positivity rate in Delhi touched the 25% mark on Monday, up from 23.5% on the previous day
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Tuesday ordered the closure of restaurants and bars, and asked private offices, except those engaged in essential services, to shift to work from home (WFH) mode amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.
“Restaurants will be allowed only home delivery and takeaway of food items,” the DDMA said in an order that came into force immediately.
The exempted category of private offices includes banks, insurance, mediclaim, and pharmaceutical firms, among a few others. The DDMA warned of action including under the Disaster Management Act and fines in case anyone is found violating the order. It has asked authorities to ensure compliance with the order.
The order came as the positivity rate in Delhi touched the 25% mark on Monday, up from 23.5% the previous day. The rate is the highest since May 6 when 26.3% of all samples returned positive.
Delhi added 19,166 Covid-19 cases on Monday, around 3,500 fewer than Sunday’s count of 22,751. This drop was likely due to lower testing usually on Sundays and public holidays.
The hospitalisation rate remains low. Despite more than 65,000 active Covid-19 cases in the city, fewer than 2,000 hospital beds were occupied on Monday. Over 14,000 people recovered from the disease on Sunday.
The DDMA order noted that Covid-19 cases, including those of the fast-spreading Omicron variant, were rapidly increasing. “Therefore, it has been felt necessary that some more additional restrictions are required to be imposed in Delhi to contain the spread.”
The latest decision is part of stricter measures planned to check spike in coronavirus cases even as the Delhi government has decided against imposing a sweeping lockdown in the Capital.
The latest move is expected to be disruptive with traders and the hospitality industry saying there will be significant economic losses and the wages and employment of people in the sector would suffer. Medical experts said the curbs may be disproportionate to the threat driven by the Omicron variant, which is manifesting in a less virulent manner.
Also Read: 46 Covid-linked deaths in Delhi in 5 days, more than 50% of them seniors: Report
An official said the decision to increase curbs was taken after a jump was recorded in the number of deaths.
The city recorded 17 deaths on Sunday and Monday, the highest since June 16. An interim analysis of the fatalities showed that over 75% of the 46 deaths that took place between January 5 and 9 were of unvaccinated people. At least 21 of the fatalities had an incidental Covid-19 positive test since they were likely admitted due to other illnesses, which may or may not have been made worse by the viral disease.
Kabir Suri, president, the National Restaurants Association of India, said the sector has been one of the worst-hit. “We were the first ones to be shut and almost the last ones to restart during the first and second lockdowns and I reckon that this third wave is going to be even worse than last year. We somehow survived so far, but with the new guidelines announced... in Delhi it seems highly unlikely that we can sustain any longer,” he said in a statement.
“We are also very worried about the fate of 301,715 people employed in Delhi restaurants. We don’t want them to suffer but unfortunately, we don’t have adequate resources to support them for long.”
Confederation of All India Traders general secretary Praveen Khandelwal said instead of imposing a ban, it will be more appropriate to enforce Covid-19 protection protocols at restaurants. “The restaurant owners should be responsible for implementing such protocols in restaurants.” He added that the ban could leave thousands jobless.
An official defended the move, saying restaurants were a risk since people needed to remove their masks to eat or drink. “It is well known that crowding in closed spaces accelerates the transmission of coronavirus. It was unanimously felt that such places may turn into super-spreaders even after 50% seating capacity cap already in place and thus it was decided to close the restaurants and bars,” the official said, asking not to be named.
Jugal Kishore, head, the department of community medicine, Safdarjung Hospital, said drastic restrictions would not bring any further benefits. “The poor working on daily wages and in restaurants would be greatly affected by closing down. Health services also get affected due to curfew, which may have an effect on overall health conditions of the people.”
Meanwhile, all existing restrictions such as the weekend curfew and night curfew will continue to remain in place.
All yellow alert restrictions continue to be in place under which educational institutions, gyms and cinemas are closed, but 100% seating capacity in Metro trains and buses is allowed to avoid crowding at transport hubs. Passengers will, however, not be allowed to stand in Metro trains or buses.
Shops in malls and markets are operating on an odd-even basis between 10am and 8pm. On weekdays, only one weekly market in a zone is allowed to open. Only 20 people are allowed to attend weddings and funerals.
According to the DDMA order, Delhi government departments catering to essential services such as Covid-19 management will function as usual, while the staff of all other government departments will work from home.
WHAT’S OPEN, WHAT’S CLOSED?
Can I go to a restaurant and dine out?
No. Starting today, restaurants in the Capital won’t be open for dine-in services. Only deliveries and takeaways are allowed.
Can I order food at home? Will the delivery agent be stopped?
Yes, you can order food at home. No, the delivery agent won’t be stopped. Delivery services are allowed.
Can I eat at a food stall on the roadside?
No, you can’t.
Am I allowed to head to office?
No, unless you work in a firm that’s part of the category exempted from the restrictions. All private offices, except those engaged in essential services, must switch to work-from-home (WFH) mode from today.
Which firms are allowed to call employees to office?
The exempted category of private offices includes companies that are engaged in essential services, such as private banks, media, insurance and mediclaim offices, pharma companies, etc.
Can I visit a shopping mall/ cinema hall/ theatre/ gym/ restaurant during the weekend?
No. Cinemas, theatres, gyms and spas are shut until further order. Shops located inside shopping malls will operate on an odd-even basis (10am-8pm).
Is the night curfew still in place?
Yes, a night curfew is in place from 10pm to 5am every day. It prohibits all non-essential travel and movement.
Will there be a weekend curfew?
Yes, a weekend curfew will be in place from 10pm on Friday to 5am on Monday. All non-essential travel and movement will remain prohibited and establishments will remain closed.
Are schools and colleges open for in-person classes?
No, educational institutions in Delhi have been shut since the end of December due to a surge in cases.
What if I have to attend a wedding or funeral?
You are allowed to attend a wedding or a funeral as long as you are among a maximum of 20 persons invited to attend the event.
Are public transport services such as Metros and buses operating?
Yes. Delhi Metro and DTC buses are running at 100% capacity. But passengers are not allowed to stand inside trains and buses.
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