Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday rejected the government’s proposal to lift the weekend curfew imposed from 10 pm on Fridays to 5 am on Mondays. 

He has, however, has agreed to the government’s suggestion to allow private offices to reopen at 50% capacity. 

The Delhi government had earlier today recommended easing of COVID restrictions as cases witnessed a steady decline in the national capital. 

The proposal was sent to Governor Anil Baijal, after it was approved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The removal of the odd-even system applicable to shops and commercial establishments was also suggested, which would have allowed them to open on all days. 

While rejecting the proposal to lift the weekend curfew, Baijal said the restrictions needed to remain in place till COVID-19 cases reduce further and the situation improves.  

Also Read: Delhi weekend curfew: What’s open and what’s not?

Delhi on Thursday reported 12,306 new Covid-19 cases — a decrease from 13,785 infections on Wednesday — and 43 deaths. The national capital’s positivity rate is now 21.48%. The daily cases have declined from over 28,000 within ten days.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said that it’s likely that the state has crossed its peak. But he warned that there was still a need to be cautious. “The numbers have come down to 22-24% from 30%; it has reduced but it is not so low that we can open up everything. Hopefully, the numbers will decline as fast as it went up. But, we have to wait and watch,” he said.

Also Read: COVID-19: Which states have imposed weekend & night curfews in India?

The weekend curfew had been imposed in Delhi on January 4 amid a surge in COVID cases, fuelled by the omicron variant. “There shall be “Weekend Curfew” on movement of individuals in NCT of Delhi from 10 PM of Friday till 5 AM of subsequent Monday,” the DDMA order had read.

Emergency services, personnel involved in such services, pregnant women and patients for availing medical services, those going for Covid test, vaccination, TV and print media, students appearing for exams, were among those exempted.

Jain had said at the time, “The Omicron variant of coronavirus is behind the surge in infections in the city and more restrictions will be implemented if the bed occupancy rate goes up.”