NEW DELHI: In a bold move to kickstart economic activity in the capital and restore a semblance of normal life, the Delhi government has proposed to the Centre reopening of all markets and shopping complexes with non-essential shops functioning on an oddeven basis. However, only onethird of the shops in a mall should be allowed to open at a time, it has said. This should be accompanied with all social distancing measures and other safeguards. This incorporates the proposals received from market associations.
The state government has also asked for public transport — including all DTC buses, cabs, auto-rickshaws and the Metro — to be allowed to resume operations with restrictions on the number of passengers. The government has also made a pitch for allowing all industries to operate and construction activities to be allowed to be resumed.
However, it has recommended that schools and other educational institutions, hotels, multiplexes and barber shops and salons should remain closed. Restaurants can open only for takeaways and home delivery. “The nation went into a lockdown one-and-a-half months back. It was easy to put the country and Delhi under a lockdown but lifting it and reviving the economy will be much more difficult,” chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said at a digital press conference.
Kejriwal discussed the proposals for a more liberal lockdown relaxation with LG Anil Baijal, senior bureaucrats and experts at a meeting on Thursday after receiving over 5 lakh suggestions from people.
Govt tells depts to ready SOP for opening up city
A majority of these suggestions from people in Delhi to the state government favoured lifting the curbs with adequate safeguards. “The Disaster Management Act allows the central government to give directions to the state governments on their operations. Based on what the central government decides, various activities will be resumed in Delhi from Monday,” said the chief minister.
Expecting a favourable response from the Centre, the Delhi government is already gearing up to help people adjust to a new life from Monday. Officials have been asked to work out a detailed standard operating procedure for people. All departments concerned have been asked to prepare an SOP within a couple of days to ensure smooth functioning of the facilities besides ensuring that coronavirus cases don’t get a fillip when the curbs are lifted.
Kejriwal had said at the press conference that a maximum number of people were in favour of lifting the lockdown but didn’t want educational institutions to open before the summer break was over.
“People have suggested that hotels should not resume functioning now, but restaurants must open with only takeaway and home delivery facilities. A maximum number of people have also suggested that barber shops and salons must not open due to the high risk from contact. In the same way, cinema halls, swimming pools, and other such places where people gather must not open for now,” said Kejriwal.
He added that senior citizens and people with serious ailments — such as heart problems, asthma, diabetes, cancer etc – children below 10 years of age and pregnant women should stay indoors and not be exposed to any risk.
The CM said that people have called for strict enforcement of social distancing and slapping of fines on those who do not wear masks. There has been a demand for parks to be opened for increasing immunity. “Many people questioned the logic behind not allowing movement of people from 7pm to 7am and suggested that this should be relaxed,” he said.
An overwhelming number of people suggested resumption of public transport, including auto-rickshaws and taxis, with only one passenger allowed in autos and two passengers in taxis. It has been suggested that all vehicles should be disinfected after each ride.
“A majority of people are in favour of resumption of bus services but with strict social distancing norms in place. Not more than 25 people should travel in a bus at a time, it has been suggested. People have also suggested that limited services of Delhi Metro should be restored,” the chief minister added.
The state government has also asked for public transport — including all DTC buses, cabs, auto-rickshaws and the Metro — to be allowed to resume operations with restrictions on the number of passengers. The government has also made a pitch for allowing all industries to operate and construction activities to be allowed to be resumed.
However, it has recommended that schools and other educational institutions, hotels, multiplexes and barber shops and salons should remain closed. Restaurants can open only for takeaways and home delivery. “The nation went into a lockdown one-and-a-half months back. It was easy to put the country and Delhi under a lockdown but lifting it and reviving the economy will be much more difficult,” chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said at a digital press conference.
Kejriwal discussed the proposals for a more liberal lockdown relaxation with LG Anil Baijal, senior bureaucrats and experts at a meeting on Thursday after receiving over 5 lakh suggestions from people.
Govt tells depts to ready SOP for opening up city
A majority of these suggestions from people in Delhi to the state government favoured lifting the curbs with adequate safeguards. “The Disaster Management Act allows the central government to give directions to the state governments on their operations. Based on what the central government decides, various activities will be resumed in Delhi from Monday,” said the chief minister.
Expecting a favourable response from the Centre, the Delhi government is already gearing up to help people adjust to a new life from Monday. Officials have been asked to work out a detailed standard operating procedure for people. All departments concerned have been asked to prepare an SOP within a couple of days to ensure smooth functioning of the facilities besides ensuring that coronavirus cases don’t get a fillip when the curbs are lifted.
Kejriwal had said at the press conference that a maximum number of people were in favour of lifting the lockdown but didn’t want educational institutions to open before the summer break was over.
“People have suggested that hotels should not resume functioning now, but restaurants must open with only takeaway and home delivery facilities. A maximum number of people have also suggested that barber shops and salons must not open due to the high risk from contact. In the same way, cinema halls, swimming pools, and other such places where people gather must not open for now,” said Kejriwal.
He added that senior citizens and people with serious ailments — such as heart problems, asthma, diabetes, cancer etc – children below 10 years of age and pregnant women should stay indoors and not be exposed to any risk.
The CM said that people have called for strict enforcement of social distancing and slapping of fines on those who do not wear masks. There has been a demand for parks to be opened for increasing immunity. “Many people questioned the logic behind not allowing movement of people from 7pm to 7am and suggested that this should be relaxed,” he said.
An overwhelming number of people suggested resumption of public transport, including auto-rickshaws and taxis, with only one passenger allowed in autos and two passengers in taxis. It has been suggested that all vehicles should be disinfected after each ride.
“A majority of people are in favour of resumption of bus services but with strict social distancing norms in place. Not more than 25 people should travel in a bus at a time, it has been suggested. People have also suggested that limited services of Delhi Metro should be restored,” the chief minister added.
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