Significant easing of lockdown in Delhi, shops to open from Tues; COVID-19 cases cross 10,000-mark

Delhi will see a significant easing of lockdown from May 19 with opening of shops in markets on an odd-even basis and running of buses, auto and taxis, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said, even as the city's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 10,000-mark.

However, metro services, schools, colleges, cinema halls and salons will remain closed, the chief minister said.

Wearing masks and following social distancing norms are mandatory in the city, Kejriwal said, adding that no activity will be permitted in containment zones, except for essential services.

The death toll due to coronavirus in Delhi mounted to 160, a health bulletin said.

A total of 299 fresh cases were recorded while the total number of active cases stood at 5,409.

With this, Delhi has become the fourth place, where the total cases have crossed the 10,000-mark. Maharashtra has 33,055 COVID-19 cases, Gujarat 11,379 and Tamil Nadu 11,224, according to data shared on the union heath ministry website.

According to a PTI tally, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country crossed the 1 lakh-mark.

Among the fresh cases, includes a teacher of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and a Delhi Jal Board employee, officials said.

Addressing an online media briefing here, Kejriwal said, "We have to gradually move towards opening the economy. We used the lockdown period to make arrangements to deal with COVID-19."
Sanjeev Mehra, President, Khan Market Traders Association, said, "Though we have our reservations against the formula and the guidelines, we will resume operations tomorrow."