Delhi lockdown eased: shops open on odd-even basis, metro rail to run at 50% capacity

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Saturday that shops in markets and malls in the national capital will be allowed to open on an odd-even basis from Monday as part of the easing of restrictions, but the lockdown to fight Covid-19 has been extended till 5 am on June 14.</p>
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The Delhi Metro, too, will start operating again, but only at 50 per cent seating capacity.</p>
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Kejriwal said private offices can be opened with 50 per cent manpower but advised them to observe staggered timings to avoid crowding. The work-from-home mode should still be used widely, he said. </p>
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<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/daily-count-of-fresh-covid-cases-in-india-slows-to-a-day-low-93139.html">Daily count of fresh Covid-19 cases in India slows to a 58-day low</a></p>
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For public sector offices, Category A employees can work on all days, but all categories under them should work at 50 per cent capacity.</p>
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"As and when the situation keeps improving, more relaxations will be announced. This is what is being done currently," Kejriwal said.</p>
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Kejriwal said, “We are also preparing well to ensure that we are not caught unawares if and when there is a third wave.”</p>
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He said the government would set up a panel as well as a task force to track the next wave of infections and would also make provisions for safeguarding children against the disease. </p>
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Kejriwal said the government is setting up 64 oxygen plants in the city so that there is no shortage of oxygen in case a third wave strikes.</p>
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He said as and when the situation keeps improving, more relaxations will be announced. This is what is being done currently.</p>
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<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/india-surpasses-usa-in-number-of-people-given-st-dose-of-covid-vaccine-93082.html">India surpasses USA in number of people given 1st dose of Covid-19 vaccine</a></p>
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Last week, the government had allowed manufacturing and construction activities in Delhi to start the first phase of unlocking the city.</p>
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The lockdown was imposed in Delhi on April 19.</p>
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Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 523 fresh COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths on Friday, while the positivity rate with a positivity rate at 0.68 per cent, according to Delhi government figures.</p>
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<strong>Lockdown eased but not lifted</strong></p>
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*Malls and shopping centres will open on an odd-even basis with half shops opening one day, the other half the next day.</p>
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*All standalone (single) shops and all neighbourhood (colony) shops and shops in residential complexes, shall be permitted to open on all days without any distinction of essential and non-essential goods/services.</p>
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*Essential item shops and chemists can open on all days.</p>
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*Delhi Metro will start operating again, but only at 50 per cent seating capacity.</p>
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*Private offices to resume operations with 50 per cent staff. The offices will open between 9 am and 5 pm. Employees need to produce a valid authority letter and valid ID card issued by their employer to travel to the office. Will have to observe staggered timings to avoid crowding.</p>
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*For government offices, Group A staff will be allowed to function with 100 per cent capacity while Group B will resume work with 50 per cent staff.</p>
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*Delivery of all types of goods through e-commerce shall be allowed on production of a valid I card issued by the employer.</p>