Delhi lifts all Covid curbs, schools to be fully offline April 1

The decision comes after two months of curbs that took a toll on economic activities in the capital. The restrictions were imposed on December 26 last year, in the wake of rising cases driven by the Omicron variant.

A crowded Sadar Bazar in New Delhi on January 29, 2022. (Express Photo: Amit Mehra)

3 min readNew DelhiFeb 26, 2022 01:42 AM IST First published on: Feb 25, 2022 at 01:46 PM IST

THE DELHI Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to lift all Covid-related restrictions from Monday, and also allow schools to discontinue online/ hybrid classes in favour of physical classes from April 1.

The decision comes after two months of curbs that took a toll on economic activities in the capital. The restrictions were imposed on December 26 last year, in the wake of rising cases driven by the Omicron variant.

Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “DDMA withdraws all restrictions as situation improves and people facing hardships due to loss of jobs. Schools to function fully offline from 1 April. Fines for not wearing masks reduced to Rs 500. All should continue following Covid appropriate behaviour. Government will keep strict watch.”

DDMA withdraws all restrictions as situation improves n people facing hardships due to loss of jobs

Schools to function fully offline from 1 Apr

Fines for not wearing masks reduced to Rs 500

All shud continue following Covid Appropriate Behaviour. Govt will keep strict watch

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2022

Currently, the fine for not wearing a mask is Rs 2,000.

The announcement means that night curfew will be lifted, markets can stay open till 10 pm, and restaurants, bars, cafes, and cinema halls can function at 100 per cent seating capacity. Currently, all markets and shops operate from 10 am to 8 pm. Sources said while restaurants, bars and cafes can remain open till 11 pm, this may be extended to midnight.

Schools will be resuming fully offline classes after a gap of almost two years.

The decision was taken as Delhi’s Covid positivity rate continues to hover around 1 per cent or less. The city reported 460 new cases, two deaths and a positivity rate of 0.81 per cent in the last 24 hours. Sources said the restrictions may be re-imposed if there is an increase in the number of cases.

“We have reached a positivity rate of 0.8%. If cases continue to stay in control and the positivity rates remain below 1%, schools will be allowed to go fully offline and discontinue the hybrid mode. Similarly, the fine amount can go up if cases increase,” said a source.

Sources present at the meeting said while there was a discussion on limiting gatherings at weddings, Kejriwal said they should try to do away with all restrictions keeping in mind the economic hardship faced by people.

There are about 500-600 banquet halls, 56 cinema halls and around 630 restaurants and bars (as per the Delhi licensing data) across the city, many of which went out of business or were financially hit due to two full lockdowns and frequent Covid restrictions.

The DDMA meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. Besides Kejriwal, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, Home Minister Satyendar Jain and senior officials of the health and revenue departments were among those present.