DDMA lifts all Covid restrictions in Delhi

As the Covid-19 situation in Delhi is improving every day and the number of cases is dropping, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to relax all covid restrictions in the national capital from February 28, 2022, Monday onwards.

The decision was taken in a DDMA meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with experts and other officials the previous day.

The DDMA order said, "Accordingly, the Covid-19 situation in Delhi has been reviewed in the DDMA meeting... and it was observed that cases and positivity rate have declined significantly. Also, bed occupancy in hospitals is low and the situation has vastly improved. Therefore, it has been decided to remove all restrictions in Delhi.”

Furthermore, DDMA explained that steps have been taken to ease the difficulty of people facing hardships in daily commuting and employment. In the recent past, Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal lifted several other curbs like weekend curfew, half seating capacity in metro trains and buses, closure of multiplexes and cinemas.

Here is the list of updated Covid rules in Delhi-

No more night curfew: The night curfew has been lifted. In the capital state of India, with this Delhi CM also urged all citizens to continue following Covid-19 safety protocols. “All should continue following Covid-appropriate behaviour. The government will keep a strict watch,” Kejriwal wrote.

No limitation on seating capacity in restaurants, bars and theatre: Now all kinds of the shop can run with 100 per cent capacity from today. This step can help people from losing their jobs and business activity will soon start picking up pace.

Physical classes resumed in Delhi schools and colleges: According to DDMA guidelines, Delhi Schools will function in offline mode from 1st April 2022. Authorities also added that the hybrid mode (online as well as offline) option can also be chosen for studying with the consent of parents for students up to Classes 9 and Class 11 till March 31.

The fine for not wearing a face mask has been reduced: The fine has been reduced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 500 from Monday issued by The Health and Family Welfare. However, authorities have advised that the citizens still need to adhere to the covid appropriate behaviour including proper masking and social distancing.

No face marks for people travelling in private cars: As per the Delhi government, people travelling in private cars will no longer need to wear masks from February 28 onwards.

100% capacity in metros: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will let the metro run with 100 per cent seating and standing capacity from today. Also to reduce the crowd and make an easy way for passengers, all the metro gates are now open.

City Spidey talked to the Delhi Citizens about the relaxation on covid rules and here is what they have expressed.

Anushka Sachdeva (23) pursuing a master's in journalism expressed “It is good to see the improved situation in Delhi and luckily now we can resume our offline studies. With offline studies, we can gain practical exposure efficiently and enjoy the classes.”

Naman Batra (25), a businessman, “No mask in car rule is quite comfortable for people travelling in the car but the government should think for people riding bikes. I wear spectacles and due to the mask and helmet, there is a lot of fog on my specs and I can not see properly while riding a bike. If I resist the mask, there is fear of fine."

Pritam Kaur(35) a housewife says, “Covid is still uncertain. It has become a vicious circle where sometimes there is no problem and then the situation becomes out of control. Although I feel safe sending my family members out for work now because of the decrease in cases, we must follow Covid appropriate behaviour because who knows when the cases might increase again."