The announcement of the relaxation came at 5.30 pm about the reopening of shops and markets? but many store owners in Khan Market had begun dusting and sanitizing their premises in the morning. By noon time, some shops were up with masked staffers who were ready to welcome customers. The whole capital was portraying the same rituals.
Life in the capital is expected to hobble back to the usual, but with some measures in place. Restrictions imposed two months ago to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic were relaxed as part of the two week lockdown 4.0 that came into force on Monday.?
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced the rules to restart the economy in the capital while ascertaining that his government is prepared to deal with the deadly coronavirus also saying people will have to learn to live with it till the time the vaccine comes. The Chief Minister clarified that there will be no activities, barring essential services, in all the containment zones. Wearing masks while going out is mandatory, he said.?
"Now, coronavirus isn't going to go away in the next one or two months, not until there's a vaccine. Like I have been saying, we need to habituate ourselves to live with it. Coronavirus will stay but our lives will go on," Kejriwal said addressing a press conference.
Road travel?
Public transportation has been allowed but with conditions. As per the CM, DTC buses are now allowed to run but with only 20 passengers in a vehicle. Passengers will be screened before boarding. The transport department will be ensuring that the protocol of social distancing is followed at all the bus depots and inside the vehicles as well.?
Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws will be allowed in the capital with only one passenger at a time. Taxis and cabs are also allowed with two passengers in a vehicle.
Kejriwal¡¯s announcement are in line with the Central government¡¯s order issued on Sunday for the extension of the lockdown until May 31. As per previous phases, nobody is allowed to move outside from 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential services.?
Markets
Markets will operate on an odd-even basis - half the shops will open one day and the rest the next day.?Essential shops are open all day. Restaurants will open, but only for home delivery services. Traders welcomed Arvind Kejriwal's announcements but urged him to reconsider the odd-even formula for shops as it is not workable, according to them.
"This was much awaited and will certainly bring the economy of Delhi back on the wheels and traders will be able to resume business operations. The trading community stands in solidarity with the Delhi government," said Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
Earlier in the day, traffic jams were reported at several border crossings between Delhi and Gurugram and Delhi, Noida. The vehicle queue went up to over a kilometre as local cops checked passes and identity cards of people travelling on DND Flyover.
Other major relaxations
Private offices and the government will open, however, private offices have been asked to put work from home as a priority and only essential workers are asked to join offices. This came on a day when the centre asked 50 % of its junior staff to attend office.?
Marriage gatherings with up to 50 guests and funerals with not more than 20 people have also been allowed. Industries will open with strict timeline to reduce crowding. Construction activities will be allowed as well but trans-border workers won¡¯t be allowed to sports complexes and stadiums can open but without spectators.?
As on Monday, Delhi had 10,054 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 160 deaths. At least 4,500 patients have recovered so far.?
"The number of cases is high. But the average number of deaths is less in comparison to other states and countries," Kejriwal said.