Delhi Lifts Weekend Curfew, Restaurants, Cinemas To Open At 50% Capacity

The weekend curfew has been lifted in Delhi, odd-even curbs for markets have been removed and restaurants and cinemas can reopen at 50 per cent capacity, the government said today, as Covid cases continued to drop in the capital.

Schools and colleges will remain shut for now.

The decision to ease curbs enforced during the Omicron surge was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in which the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal were present.

Cinemas, restaurants and bars can operate at 50 per cent capacity. The number of guests at weddings has been raised to 200 from 20.

Though there will be no weekend curfew, the 10 pm to 5 am night curfew stays.

Government offices have also been allowed to reopen with 50 per cent staff.

No decision was taken on schools in today's meeting though Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has flagged worries about the prolonged school shutdown affecting the education and mental health of children.

Mr Sisodia had said yesterday that the Delhi government would recommend reopening schools as it was "necessary to prevent further damage to the social and emotional well-being of children". He also said a large number of parents favoured it.

Delhi has seen a dip in the number of cases and the positivity rate.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said the Covid situation in the city is under control and the positivity rate is likely to dip below 10 per cent. The city is expected to report less than 5,000 cases today.