Delhi Starts Unlocking: What’s Allowed? What Remains Closed?

Kejriwal said that from Monday, construction activities and factories will be reopened.

Image used for representation.

(Photo: PTI)

The national capital will remain under "strict lockdown" till 7 June, except for construction and manufacturing units which would be allowed to resume from Monday with certain guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

"DDMA directs to extend the curfew on the movement of individuals (except for essential activities or services) in the territory of NCT of Delhi, till 5 am on 7 June," said the DDMA order.

The notification has been issued a day after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced gradual unlocking of Delhi, which has been under strict lockdown since 19 April to combat the second COVID-19 wave.

What’s allowed?

• The owner of manufacturing or production units or contractors or employees of construction activities shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance regarding COVID-19 protection.

• The order further said that the movement of workers or employees will be allowed only on the possession of e-pass.

• To keep an eye on the spread of COVID infection, there will be regular facilities of COVID sample testing at every factory unit and at construction sites.

• The DDMA, meanwhile, has also directed the district administrations and police in the national capital to ensure that people are wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in all mandis, railway stations, ISBT, slum areas as well as people visiting the grocery shops and medical stores.

• It added that the market association, Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), will also be responsible for ensuring compliance of COVID-appropriate behaviour by all shopkeepers and residents.

What remains shut in Delhi?

• All kinds of social, political, sporting, entertainment, academic, cultural, and religious festivals and gatherings will be prohibited.
• Sporting events will be allowed at stadiums but without an audience.
• All swimming pools to remain shut across the national capital, barring those where athletes are training for national and international events.
• All schools, colleges, educational institutions, and coaching centres will remain shut.
• Only 20 people will be allowed to attend weddings and funerals.
• Restaurants, bars, and cinema theatres will remain closed.

Do I need an RT-PCR test to enter Delhi?

No, not as of now. Watch out this space for more details.

Will lockdown be imposed again?

The government in Delhi will start opening up the national capital, in consultation with experts and suggestions from citizens. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.

A lockdown will be imposed if signs of a wave emerge again, he stressed.

What is the situation in Delhi?

CM Kejriwal said that the positivity rate in Delhi had come down to 1.5 percent in the last 24 hours. There is no difficulty in getting beds in hospitals anymore, and the COVID wave is under control in the capital, he said.

Delhi has been seeing a decline in cases over the last couple of days.