Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Saturday that shops in markets and malls in the national capital will be allowed to open on an odd-even basis from Monday as part of the easing of restrictions, but the lockdown to fight Covid-19 has been extended till 5 am on June 14.

The Delhi Metro, too, will start operating again, but only at 50 per cent seating capacity.

Kejriwal said private offices can be opened with 50 per cent manpower but advised them to observe staggered timings to avoid crowding. The work-from-home mode should still be used widely, he said. 

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For public sector offices, Category A employees can work on all days, but all categories under them should work at 50 per cent capacity.

"As and when the situation keeps improving, more relaxations will be announced. This is what is being done currently," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal said, “We are also preparing well to ensure that we are not caught unawares if and when there is a third wave.”

He said the government would set up a panel as well as a task force to track the next wave of infections and would also make provisions for safeguarding children against the disease. 

Kejriwal said the government is setting up 64 oxygen plants in the city so that there is no shortage of oxygen in case a third wave strikes.

He said as and when the situation keeps improving, more relaxations will be announced. This is what is being done currently.

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Last week, the government had allowed manufacturing and construction activities in Delhi to start the first phase of unlocking the city.

The lockdown was imposed in Delhi on April 19.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 523 fresh COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths on Friday, while the positivity rate with a positivity rate at 0.68 per cent, according to Delhi government figures.

Lockdown eased but not lifted

*Malls and shopping centres will open on an odd-even basis with half shops opening one day, the other half the next day.

*All standalone (single) shops and all neighbourhood (colony) shops and shops in residential complexes, shall be permitted to open on all days without any distinction of essential and non-essential goods/services.

*Essential item shops and chemists can open on all days.

*Delhi Metro will start operating again, but only at 50 per cent seating capacity.

*Private offices to resume operations with 50 per cent staff. The offices will open between 9 am and 5 pm. Employees need to produce a valid authority letter and valid ID card issued by their employer to travel to the office. Will have to observe staggered timings to avoid crowding.

*For government offices, Group A staff will be allowed to function with 100 per cent capacity while Group B will resume work with 50 per cent staff.

*Delivery of all types of goods through e-commerce shall be allowed on production of a valid I card issued by the employer.