Covid Curbs In Delhi: DDMA Officials To Meet Today. Night Curfew, Other Restrictions Likely To Be Lifted

Several restrictions yet to be relaxed include once a week market in a municipal zone, no standing passengers in buses and Metro trains, 50 percent cap on seating capacity in restaurants, bars, etc.

Police personnel check vehicles during night curfew second day imposed in the wake of rise in COVID-19 cases of Omicron variant, at Krishna Nagar on December 28, 2021 in New Delhi, India. (Getty)

New Delhi: In view of the Covid-19 cases declining in the national capital, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) officials are meeting on Friday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and are likely to further ease covid restrictions.

Most of the Covid related curbs, including night curfew and 50 percent seating capacity in restaurants and bars, are likely to be lifted by the authority, Delhi government officials informed news agency PTI.

READ: Govt's Topmost Priority Is To Bring Back Indian Citizens 'Safe And Sound' From Ukraine, PM Modi Assures

The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal at 12.30 pm on Friday, according to the official notice reported by PTI report.

"Except for gatherings related to political, social, cultural and such other activities, the remaining restrictions are expected to be lifted as the Covid situation has improved significantly," a senior Delhi government official said.

In January, the DDMA relaxed several restrictions including the opening of schools and colleges and extended imposition of the night curfew from 11 pm instead of 10 pm.

With the fresh Covid cases and positivity rate declining sharply in the national capital, there are demands from several quarters, including the traders and political parties, for lifting the remaining curbs.

What restrictions are yet to be lifted?

Several restrictions yet to be relaxed include once a week market in a municipal zone, no standing passengers in buses and Metro trains, 50 percent cap on seating capacity in restaurants, bars, and cinemas, and no activity except weddings in banquet halls.

In its demand, the Chamber of Trade and Industry, an association of traders in Delhi, has sent a plea to the LG asking for rest of the restrictions to be lifted amid decreasing Covid case and infection rate in the city.

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta has also written to Baijal requesting him to allow visitors to temples and other religious places. Currently, religious places are permitted to open without visitors.