Delhi Metro, buses at full seating capacity from Monday; cinemas, theatres to open at 50 per cent

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro and public buses here will operate with full seating capacity from Monday, while cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will open with 50 per cent occupancy, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said Saturday in its latest set of lockdown relaxations for the capital.

This comes as the city witnesses a drop in coronavirus cases and deaths.

The latest DDMA unlock guidelines say the Delhi Metro, the city’s lifeline, will be allowed to operate with 100 per cent seating capacity from Monday but no standing passenger will be allowed.

Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will be allowed to open with 50 percent seating capacity from July 26, while business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions will also be allowed, but only with business visitors, the guidelines said.

The order also directed that the number of people allowed at marriage functions and funerals will be raised to 100 from Monday.

Till now, funerals/last rites were permitted with a ceiling of 20 people while marriages at home or in court were allowed with a ceiling of 20 persons.

Marriages in marriage halls/banquet halls were allowed with a ceiling of 50 persons.

“The owners of the banquet halls, marriage halls, hotels etc. shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of COVID Appropriate Behaviour (viz.wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing and use of sanitizer etc.) to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus,” it said.

“In case, any violation is found, strict penal /criminal action shall be taken against the owner of the premises as well as against the individual and the premises shall be sealed forthwith,” it said.

Spas can also open from July 26 but all employees have to be fully vaccinated or undergo an RT-PCR test fortnightly, the DDMA said.

The order stated that intrastate (within NCT of Delhi) movement of buses (DTC as well as cluster) shall be permitted with 100 per cent seating capacity.

“In the case of buses, boarding shall be allowed only from the rear door while de-boarding shall be allowed only from the front door. No standing passenger shall be allowed. Public transport such as autos and e-rickshaws (up to two passengers) / Taxis, Cabs, Gramin Sewa & phat phat Sewa (up to two passengers) / Maxi cab (up to five passengers) / RTV (up to 11 passengers) shall be allowed,” the order added.

It also said that religious places shall be permitted to open but no visitors will be allowed.