All hotels in Delhi to open, gyms to stay shut
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) chaired by the LG on Wednesday decided to open the hotels along with the opening of weekly markets on a trial basis.
However, the gyms of Delhi will remain closed.
Following the decision, Kejriwal said, “The corona situation in Delhi is much better now. Now, the economy of Delhi has to be brought on track. For this, we had already proposed opening all the hotels in Delhi, which was rejected by the Central government. We again requested the central government, and we are happy that now the proposal of the Delhi government has been approved. Now all hotels in Delhi will be opened. At the same time, the weekly market will be opened on a trial basis. In the meantime, everyone must exercise precautions and follow social distancing.”
Following the decision, many hotel and restaurant associations have thanked Kejriwal. President Loveleen Anand, and Chairman Sandeep Khandelwal, Delhi Hotels & Restaurant’s Owner’s Association (DHROA) wrote: “DHROA wholeheartedly thanks Kejriwal, the beloved Chief Minister of Delhi. The decision to open the hotel is a new ray of life given to us by our Chief Minister between the life and death decision, which is a very commendable step. It is a step to provide livelihood and employment opportunities. The move will also make migrant workers happy.”
Jagpreet Arora, president of Karol Bagh Hotel Association thanked Kejriwal and wrote: “We would first like to thank you on behalf of the entire Karol Bagh hotel industry for granting us permission to reopen our Hotels. We appreciate the pains taken by your goodself in helping us in the same regard. We are always there for your support.”
Lodging House Owners Association President Daljeet Chadha and General Secretary Ram Arya said: “We thank you sir for unlocking our budget hotels in central district. You have been excessively kind in first presenting the proposal of unlocking over two weeks back but somehow was held back at Lt. Governor’s behest. Your continuous , tireless effort in pushing the proposal on rational reasoning has finally brought cheers to the depressed owners and importantly lakhs of workers sitting in their villages without jobs. We will follow all SOP for COVID prevention.”
In the last week of July, the Kejriwal government decided to allow hotels and gyms to reopen in the city, besides allowing weekly markets to open on a trial basis for seven days with social distancing and all other COVID 19 measures. The Delhi government had decided to end night curfew and allow more economic activities, including normal functioning of hospitality services, in the national capital under ‘Unlock-3’ guidelines.
However, on July 31 the LG rejected the Delhi government’s decision to allow hotels and weekly markets under Unlock 3, citing the situation fragile amid coronavirus pandemic, it said.
The hotels contribute to 8 per cent of the State’s GDP & employment. Weekly bazaars provide employment to 5 lakh poor families. After having successfully brought COVID situation under control, it is a challenge to bring the economy back on track. Opening up these two sectors will help in that direction.
