Gyms, yoga centres allowed to reopen in Delhi from today; weekly markets permitted till September 30

In an order issued late in the night, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said that gymnasiums and yoga institutes will be permitted to reopen in the city, except in the containment zones.

Key Highlights

• Gymnasiums and yoga institutes will be permitted to reopen in the city, except in the containment zones

• The Delhi government has allowed weekly markets to resume function on a trial basis

• The decisioncomes at a time when the coronavirus cases in the national capital are rising rapidly

New Delhi: After being closed for more than five months due to the coronavirus pandemic, gyms and yoga centres have been allowed to reopen in Delhi from Monday.

In an order issued late in the night, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said that gymnasiums and yoga institutes will be permitted to reopen in the city, except in the containment zones, with immediate effect.

The Delhi government has allowed weekly markets to resume function on a trial basis till September 30 under 'Unlock-4'- the fourth phase of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government and the Lieutenant Government office have recently been sparring over the decision to reopen gyms and weekly markets in the national capital.

The Arvind Kejriwal government had last month sent a proposal to Lt Governor Anil Baijal twice in this regard, but it was rejected.

Under Unlock-4, Delhi has already allowed metro railways network to resume operation. Restaurants, bars, hotels and clubs have also been allowed to open with strict regulations in place.

Delhi sees spike in COVID-19 cases

The decision to reopen gyms and yoga centres comes at a time when the coronavirus cases in the national capital are rising rapidly.

On Sunday, Delhi recorded over 4,000 fresh coronavirus cases in a single day for the fifth consecutive day.

With the single day spike of 4,235 cases, the tally of coronavirus cases in Delhi rose to 2.18 lakh yesterday, while 29 fresh fatalities in the last 24 hours pushed the death toll to 4,744.

The city recorded its highest single-day jump of 4,321 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, 4,266 on Friday, 4,308 on Thursday and 4,039 on Wednesday.

'Cases rising as testing doubled'

Earlier this month, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that there has been a spike in cases due to increased testing, in an attempt to allay fears among people.

“I want to assure you that the COVID-19 situation in Delhi is completely under control, there is no need to panic but there is no room for complacency... COVID-cases are rising in Delhi because we've increased testing," he had said during virtual press briefing.