Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday, said the time had come to re-open Delhi, and people would have to be ready to live with COVID-19, as he announced the implementation of all lockdown relaxations prescribed by the Centre for the red zones in the national capital.
Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said the Delhi government would suggest to the Centre that only containment areas in the city be declared as red zones and not the entire district.
At present, all 11 districts in the city have been declared as red zones.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said COVID-19 was going nowhere and it was impossible that cases of COVID-19 would be zero.
“It is impossible that there will be no cases of COVID-19 because it has not happened across the world. We will have to be ready to live with the virus. We will have to get used to it,” he said.
Delhi has been under lockdown since March 23.
He said the government’s earnings and economy had been badly affected due to the COVID-induced lockdown, adding that Delhi was ready to relax full lockdown restrictions.
He cited figures saying in April 2019, the government earned Rs 3,500 crore while in April this year, it only received Rs 300 crore.
He said people were losing jobs and traders were suffering because there was no business, adding “we will not be able to continue this for long because of no revenue generation due to the lockdown.”
“The Centre has put the entire Delhi under the red zone, owing to which markets, malls cannot open. We have suggested the Centre to seal those areas where cases of COVID-19 have been reported and the rest can be allowed for operation of all activities,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
“The time has come to re-open Delhi and we are ready for it. We are in touch with the Centre. We hope that markets will start operating soon in Delhi. It may cause a rise in the number of cases, but we are ready to deal with the situation,” he said.
Kejriwal said the Delhi government would also take strict action against those who spit in public. He added that the movement of people from 7 pm to 7 am would not be allowed, as suggested by the Centre.
Kejriwal said the government and private offices would open from Monday, but the suspension of travel by flight, metro and bus would continue.
Delivery of essential goods through e-commerce portals would continue in the national capital, he said.
Delhi government offices, engaged in essential services, would function with full strength while offices of non-essential services and private offices can operate with 33 per cent strength.
“Malls, cinemas, salons, market complexes and Delhi Metro will remain shut while shops selling essentials will continue will be open,” he said, adding that 50 people would be allowed in a marriage function.
He said funeral-related gatherings would ensure social distancing, and the maximum numbers allowed would not be more than 20.
According to the government, manufacturing units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and their raw material would be allowed.
Jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing and manufacturing of IT hardware and manufacturing units of packaging material would continue to be permitted.
Services provided by self-employed persons such as electrician, plumber, lift technician, AC mechanic, vehicle mechanic, generator mechanic, TV mechanic and Dish TV are among those to be allowed from Monday.
Movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed only for permitted activities, with a maximum of two persons (besides the driver) in four-wheeler vehicles, and with no pillion rider in the case of two-wheelers.
