Delhi Bars & Pubs To Reopen From September 9 On Trial Basis; Will It Be The Same Again?

Delhi Bars and Pubs are set to reopen from September 9 as LG Anil Baijal has approved Delhi government's order, sources have stated. However, will it be the same again?

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New Delhi: Putting an end to the wait of both tipplers and the liquor industry of the national capital, the Delhi government has allowed bars and pubs to reopen from September 9 (next Wednesday) after a 5-month-long hiatus. Lieutenant General Anil Baijal today approved the Delhi government’s recommendations in this regard. As per the latest guidelines by Delhi Disaster Management Authority, bars shall be permitted outside containment zones in Delhi from Sept 9 to Sept 30 on a trial basis subject to strict compliance to COVID-19 SOPs. The news has come as a breather for a nightlife industry that was almost crippled under the lockdown norms induced by the outbreak of pandemic in the country. In these five months the bar and pub owners have faced a huge loss, and even though, they are back in business under unlock 5, their business will take a good time to come back on track. The move comes as a part of unlock 4 and states like West Bengal, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have already reopened bars and pubs, after keeping them closed for more than five months. The Centre had allowed the reopening of bars under the Unlock 4 guidelines issued recently. The proposal of the Kejriwal government was approved by the Lt. Governor today. After this approval, liquor can be served in the pub / bar / restaurant and hotel in Delhi. However, these bars and pubs must follow (SOP) standard operating procedure of central government. Delhi government is also likely to issue fresh  SOPs in this regard soon. Will it be same again? Clearly not. The decision on reopening of bars and pubs will be subject to review as the threat of Covid-19 still persists. Sipping with your friends in a close circle, clanking glasses together at the counter or breaking the dance floor with your entire pack, all these activities will be restricted even as the clubs will roll back to business. Large groups may not be permitted: The guidelines allow bars and pubs to serve 50 per cent of customers at a time in their premises as per their seating capacity to ensure that 6-feet physical distancing is maintained. So, clearly, the entire gang may not be able to sip together and you will have to lose out on some of your friends. Six feet distancing: Bars and pubs will have to ensure six feet of social distancing among people, so the idea of sitting together in close circle goes right out of the window now. Masks and gloves: With compulsion of masks and gloves, people might find it a bit difficult to spend long hours at these places. Dancing too seems a far-fetched idea as of now. The footfall in these places is expected to be low as people will take their time to come out of their own apprehensions as covid-19 cases in the country continue to rise. India recorded the highest surge of 83,883 corona positive cases in the last 24 hours. The country's overall tally has mounted to 38,53,406, while the death toll climbed to 67,376 as 1,043 people succumbed to the disease in a single day, according to the data provided by the Health Ministry.