In a blow to the Arvind Kejriwal government, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on Friday rejected its proposal to lift the weekend curfew in light of fall in Covid cases.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal had recommended lifting of the weekend curfew (effective from 10pm on Friday till 5am on Monday), opening of shops on all days and allowing private companies to have 50 per cent staff in offices.
The lieutenant-governor's house was quoted by ANI as saying he had agreed to the proposal to have 50 per cent attendance in offices. However, he suggested “status quo be maintained with regards to weekend curfew and opening of markets and decision be taken on the subject once the Covid situation improves further”.
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Interestingly, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had briefed reporters on the Kejriwal government's rationale in asking to lift restrictions.
"The Covid cases in Delhi was at a peak on January 12 and the positivity rate was at 30 per cent. But now, cases are reducing daily and have come to 10,500 today. Keeping in view the dip as well as people who are facing financial crisis and losing jobs due to the restrictions, the government has decided to lift weekend curfew, odd-even system in markets, and allow private offices to call 50 per cent of their staff," Sisodia was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
