Markets, malls and offices in the national capital are all set to reopen on Monday after being shut for one-and-half months, with the police and district administration deploying teams across the city to enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Along with the reopening markets, government and private offices are also set to resume work.
Metro services to resume
The national capital's lifeline Metro services, which were stopped on May 10, will also resume for the general public from Monday with 50 percent seating capacity.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Corporation (DMRC), in a public notice issued ahead of resuming its services, said that only half of the available trains will be inducted into service with a frequency ranging from about 5 to 15 minutes on different lines.
"General public is advised to cooperate with the Metro authorities ensuring compliance to Covid appropriate behaviour inside metro premises throughout their travel," it said.
DMRC had on Saturday stated that no standing passengers would be allowed inside the metro rail and in order to ensure social distancing and compliance, only 50 percent seating will be permitted inside trains.
More trains will be available on schedule from Wednesday onward.
Markets on odd-even basis
In a process to unlock Delhi for the second consecutive week, after permitting construction and manufacturing/ factories since last Monday, the DDMA, in its order issued on Saturday, has allowed markets and malls to open on alternate days (odd-even basis), which will be decided on the basis of the shop's number.
The liquor vends that were closed, after the lockdown was announced on April 19, will also open from Monday on an odd-even basis.
District administration and police officers said super spreader areas like prominent markets, malls and liquor stores that attract large crowds have been earmarked and special deployment will be ensured there for strict compliance of precautions like use of face masks and social distancing.
"50 teams have been formed for enforcement purposes. At major places where crowding is expected like Lajpat Nagar market, 10 or more teams will be deployed," said southeast Delhi district magistrate Vishwendra.
However, the weekly markets will remain shut till June 14.
Delhi lockdown till June 14
According to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, the ongoing lockdown, which had been imposed on April 19, has been extended by one more week (up to June 14).
Malls, markets and market complexes (except weekly markets) will open between 10 am to 8 pm on an odd-even basis in accordance with their shop numbers, from Monday morning.
The DDMA order stipulated implementation of Covid-appropriate behaviour at all government and private offices, malls, markets, market complexes, standalone (single) and neighbourhood shops.
