The Delhi government on Monday came out with modalities for the extended lockdown, announcing a number of relaxations and opening the field for several economic activities, including allowing public transport, except Metro. The government allowed market complexes to open, but on an odd-even basis.
Public transport has been opened in a big way, with the government deciding to resume bus services. However, only 20 passengers will be allowed in a bus, and every passenger will be screened before boarding. Cabs will be allowed, but they can carry no more than two passengers at a time, and car pooling or sharing will not be allowed. Smaller modes of public transport like autos, e-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws can also now ply, but they can carry only one passenger at a time. Maxi cabs will be allowed, but can transport only up to five passengers. RTVs will be allowed with a maximum occupancy of 12.
Cabs, autos and rickshaws will be required to disinfect the passenger area after a ride is over.
Private vehicles will be allowed, but only two people can travel in a car, while no pillion riding will be permitted on two-wheelers.
Delhi Metro services will not resume for the time being. The state government had recommended to the Centre resumption of Metro services only for those engaged in essential services.
All market complexes can open now. But shops will open on an odd-even basis. However, shops selling essential items can open everyday. Standalone and neighbourhood shops, even if they are selling non-essential goods, can open everyday. Shops that do not adhere to social distancing norms will be asked to shut down.
All industries have been given the go-ahead to resume functioning, but they will have to bring in staggered timings for their workers to prevent crowding. Construction activities will be allowed, but only those workers who live in Delhi will be permitted to work at the sites.
Restaurants can open but only for home delivery. Sports complexes and stadia can open, but there cannot be any spectators.
All government and private offices can be open and function with full staff. However, the government has advised offices to carry on with work from home as much as possible.
Schools, colleges, coaching institutes, hotels, cinema halls, shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums cannot open.
All social, political, sports, cultural and religious gatherings will not be allowed. No religious place or place of worship can open. Barber shops, spas and salons will be shut for the time being.
Delhi will observe the 7pm to 7am restriction on stepping out. People can move out of their homes during this period only for availing essential services.
People who are over 65 years and under ten years of age, pregnant women and those who suffer from diseases such as diabetes or heart ailment cannot step out of home.
Weddings will be allowed, but they can have only up to 50 guests, with strict observance of social distancing. Funerals can have only a maximum of 20 people in attendance.
In the containment zones, no activities will be allowed except essential services.
As per the Centre's guidelines, doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, ambulances and others engaged in essential services will have unrestricted passage at the inter-state border. All goods and cargo trucks will be allowed to pass through the inter-state border.
Wearing masks and maintaining social distancing will be mandatory in public places.
Announcing the guidelines for lockdown 4.0 for Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said people will now have to learn to live with coronavirus as lockdown cannot be a permanent solution.
“This thing is not getting over in the next one or two months or till a vaccine is not made. We have had a lockdown for close to two months, during which we have prepared ourselves to deal with COVID-19 cases. We have got COVID-19 designated hospitals in place. We have the required number of beds, ventilators, oxygen, PPEs, and testing kits. Now, we have to open our economy gradually,” Kejriwal said.
Delhi has so far reported 10,054 COVID-19 cases and 160 deaths.
