Covid-19: NRAI hails Delhi govt's decision to lift weekend curfew

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) welcomed the decision to lift the weekend curfew in Delhi and said it will provide much-needed survival support to the restaurant industry in the national capital.

However, it urged the Delhi government to lift the night curfew and allow full operating hours to revive the beleaguered restaurant sector and reduce overcrowding while preventing further job losses.

"On behalf of the industry, I profusely thank Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for allowing restaurants to reopen with 50 per cent capacity and lifting the weekend curfew in Delhi.

"This will definitely provide the much-needed oxygen support to the restaurant industry in Delhi for survival," NRAI President Kabir Suri said.

He also urged the Delhi government to lift the night curfew and allow full operating hours "which would not only revive the beleaguered sector but also reduce overcrowding and prevent further job losses".

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday decided to lift weekend curfew and the odd-even system of opening non-essential shops in the city besides allowing restaurants, bars, cinema halls and theatres to reopen with 50 per cent capacity, given the improving COVID-19 situation.

The decisions were made at a DDMA meeting headed by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.