Festive boost: Now, bars and eateries can stay open till 1am in Delhi

NEW DELHI: In a move that could prove to be the kiss of life for beleaguered restaurateurs and shop owners just before the festival season, the Delhi government has allowed restaurants, bars and all markets, including malls and shopping complexes, to revert to their normal timings from Tuesday.
This means that restaurants and bars can stay open till 1am and markets can resume their normal operations with pre-Covid timings. The capital is, finally, getting its nightlife back after over four months!

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority made this announcement Saturday, buoyed by the dramatic improvement in the Covid-19 situation.
Edu institutions to remain closed
The Covid positivity rate has fallen to 0.03% from over 36% on April 22. In the recent past, the capital has not reported a single Covid death in many days.
At present, bars are allowed to operate from noon to 10pm while restaurants are permitted to stay open from 8am to 10pm. All markets are allowed to operate from 10am to 8pm. Now restaurants and bars can stay open till 1am while there is no specific timing for markets. However, restaurants and bars will have to cap the seating at 50%.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi: “Due to corona, markets in Delhi were till now allowed to operate till 8pm. Due to falling Covid cases, the timing restrictions are being lifted… Now markets can open as per their normal timings.” The DDMA order stated that the change will be effective from August 24 because the last DDMA order will remain in force till August 23. The new order will remain in effect till August 31.
Early closure has sounded the deathknell for many restaurants in the city, already hit by falling footfall and the 50% cap on seating. Dinner sales contribute about 70% to their business and taking the last order at 9.30pm meant that many patrons simply stayed away.
Unlike restaurants and bars, there are no uniform timings for markets in Delhi. At several places, the timings are regulated by market associations and vary from place to place. The decision is likely to give a boost to traders because the festive season is round the corner.
The Delhi government had imposed restrictions on economic activities in the second fortnight of April and closed down restaurants and bars when Covid cases started spiralling. With the situation improving, the conditions were gradually relaxed.
Delhi Disaster Management Authority, however, underlined the fact that caution has to be exercised to ensure that Covid-appropriate behaviour is followed. It has directed all district magistrates, DCPs and officers concerned to ensure wearing of masks, social distancing, regular hand washing, use of sanitiser, observing hygiene and not allowing any spitting at places where crowds gather. In case of any violation, it has warned that the premises will be closed and criminal prosecution ordered.
Traders welcomed the decision. Many of them had written to the LG, CM and DDMA to seek relief. "Restriction on timings was leading to major losses and minimising the chance of any increase in sales. We are thankful to the authorities and promise to follow the Covid protocol diligently," said Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar traders' association.
The Chamber of Trade and Industries had also written to DDMA asking for relaxation in timings. "Due to the 8pm restriction, people would start wrapping up from 7.30pm onwards. We can operate freely and without any hassle," said Brijesh Goel, chairman of the chamber. He thanked the chief minister for providing this relief to the traders.
Meanwhile, all schools, colleges and educational institutions will remain closed but students of Classes 10 to 12 are allowed to visit their schools for admission-related work, including counselling/guidance and practical activities.