In a major push to revive hustle-bustle on the streets of Delhi, the state government has now issued an order allowing street vendors and hawkers to resume their business.
The order also permits Delhi Metro services and all establishments like cinema halls, gyms, and hotels, shut since the coronavirus induced lockdown, to restart operations with adequate preventive measures during Unlock 3, said a source.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is planning to write to the Centre for the resumption of the metro services as it has affected footfall in markets. But, the decision on opening other activities will also depend upon the Centre's guidelines for Unlock 3.
According to the initial report, the time window for street hawkers would be from 10 am to 8 pm every day and they will have to adhere to all safety measures to avoid the spread of Covid-19, Kejriwal said.
Street vendors and hawkers who mostly depend on the daily income for their livelihood are among the worst hit due to the lockdown. Although some vendors have started working in isolated pockets they are still away from the commercial points. "Due to some confusion, street hawkers were not allowed to work. Delhi government is now taking out special orders under which street vendors and hawkers will be allowed to operate their businesses," the chief minister said.
“It is due to the hard work, prudence and caution of two crore people of Delhi that the situation has improved significantly in the past few weeks," he said, adding that the Delhi model highlighting how everybody came together to fight Covid-19 was being widely discussed and appreciated across the country and the world.
Delhi's recovery rate is now 88% and the rate of active cases is only 9%, while only 2-3% of people have lost their lives.