Delhi restaurants may reopen with 50% capacity from Monday

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to announce the new set of relaxations on Sunday afternoon, said officials.

The state government is likely to allow restaurants with 50% capacity and a limited number of weekly markets to open from Monday, senior government officials said on Saturday.

A man walking past a closed bakery in Connaught Place during a Covid-19 induced lockdown, in New Delhi. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

An official added that opening salons is also under active consideration.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to announce the new set of relaxations on Sunday afternoon, said officials.

“Once allowed, restaurants will have to follow social distancing norms like they did during the previous unlock process. There will be enhanced enforcement in weekly markets too which will be strictly regulated. They will be opened on a zonal basis, with restrictions,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

As part of the unlock process, shops in malls, markets and liquor shops in the Capital were allowed to open on an odd-even basis from 10am to 8pm from June 7. Stand-alone and neighbourhood shops were allowed on all days from 10am to 8pm. Government and private offices have also been allowed to function, with up to 50% of their staff. The Delhi Metro was also allowed to resume its services.

The test positivity rate is at it’s lowest since February, when it stood at 0.25%.