Delhi To Allow Bars To Reopen From September 9
NEW DELHI : Clubs, Hotels and restaurants in the national capital have now been allowed to serve liquor from September 9 while complying with the Centre’s social distancing norms to curb the spread of corona virus.
Bars and pubs in Delhi have been allowed to open on a trial basis from 9th to 30th September, the sources said. On its part, the Delhi government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure for these establishments to ensure strict compliance of the COVID-19 protocols.
All the businesses serving liquor at their premises will have to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures laid down by the Central government – including the usage of masks and maintaining social distance – to arrest the transmission of the virus that has killed over 67,000 people in the country so far.
The revenue-strapped Delhi had been reporting close to 4,000 cases daily in June, exerting tremendous pressure on the health infrastructure. In July and most of August, the daily cases slumped to 600-1,500. Last week, however, Delhi’s daily cases crossed the 2,000-mark again.
According to the sources, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal today approved the Aam Aadmi Party government’s suggestion for reopening bars in the national capital from 9th September.
Delhi government sources, however, said that the owners of hotels, restaurants and clubs will have to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Central government. A formal order will be issued by the Delhi government after LG Baijal’s clearance to the suggestion for opening bars from September 9.
Generic preventive measures:
(A) Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidity, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and
health purposes. Hotel management to advise accordingly.
(B) The generic measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (staff and
guests) in these places at all times. These include:
1. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible.
2. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory.
3. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty.
4. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.
5. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed
elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
6. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
7. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
8. Installation and of Aarogya Setu app shall be advised to all
Tax proceeds from the sale of liquor is one of the major sources of revenue for the government.
Tax revenue of states and the Central governments has taken a severe hit because of months of economic inactivity due to coronavirus lockdown. The country’s gross domestic product or GDP contracted 23.9 per cent in the April-June period – much worse than economists’ estimates.
