Delhi Govt seeks to lift weekend curfew, relax restrictions as Covid-19 cases dip

As the cases of Covid-19 continue to drop in the National capital Delhi, the state government has proposed to lift certain restrictions alongside lifting the weekend curfew, revoke the odd-even system for shop openings and allow private offices in the city to operate with 50 percent staff.

State Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved the proposals. He has sent the proposals to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for approval.

The move comes days after state health minister Satyendar Jain said that the third coronavirus wave in Delhi is “likely over.”

Earlier, on January 19, Jain said that the government will monitor the Covid-19 situation for three to four days to confirm the trend of positivity rate before reviewing the curbs in the capital.

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Currently, as a part of the ongoing weekend curfew, from 10 pm Fridays to 5 am Mondays, all movements in Delhi are restricted.

Only those involved in essential services and those in an emergency situation are allowed to leave during the ongoing weekend curfew.

Except for those dealing in essential items such as groceries and medicines were closed.

Metros and buses were allowed to operate with full capacity but without standing commuters. To keep crowds at bay in public places, shops and commercial establishments were allowed to operate on an odd-even basis.

India recorded a total of 3,47,254 new cases of the infection in the last 24 hours pushing the overall caseload to 3,85,66,027.

Meanwhile, 703 deaths have been reported during the period. The death toll now stands at 4,88,396,

The active caseload of the infection stands at 20,18,825.