New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday turned down the Delhi government's proposal to lift the weekend curfew as well as remove the odd-even system for opening shops.
The LG House agreed to 50 per cent attendance in private offices but suggested that the status quo be maintained with regards to weekend curfew and opening of markets. A decision will be taken on the subject once the COVID situation improves further, it stated, as reported by news agency ANI.
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Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia held a press conference where he informed that the Delhi government has proposed lifting weekend curfew, ending odd-even system for the opening of shops, and allowing private offices to run with 50 per cent staff in the city.
He said that the proposal approved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to Lt Governor Anil Baijal for his consent, news agency PTI reported.
The decision to ease the restrictions was taken in view of the declining number of COVID cases in the city and its effect on livelihood and business activities, the Deputy Chief Minister stated.
The traders in many parts of the national capital have been demanding that the curbs including the opening of shops of non-essential goods on alternate days based on odd-even system, be lifted.
The weekend curfew imposed because of the rise in COVID cases will be in place from 10 PM Friday and continue till Monday 5 AM.
Delhi had on Thursday reported 12,306 fresh COVID-19 cases and 43 more fatalities due to the infection. The positivity rate dipped to 21.48 per cent, according to data shared by the Delhi health department.
(With Agency Inputs)