FRESH CHAOS AS HARYANA SHUTS DELHI BORDER
GURUGRAM: Hundreds of commuters were stuck at the Delhi-gurugram border for hours after it was sealed around 9.40am on Friday, a day after Haryana minister Anil Vij issued fresh orders restricting the entry of people into the state citing a sudden spike in Covid-19 infections.
The movement of vehicles engaged in essential services was delayed as the traffic jam stretched to about four kilometres after police began checking the movement passes. Hundreds of commuters tried to cross the border as early as possible on Friday and caused the congestion. The police asked commuters to either go back or give an undertaking that they would not return to Delhi if allowed in.
NEW DELHI: With the fourth phase of the lockdown set to end on May 31, gyms, fitness centres and salon owners’ associations have written to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal urging him to allow the reopening of these ventures from June 1, with precautions in place.
The associations, as well as app-based beauty and wellness service providers have shared a list of measures they are ready to take in line with social distancing norms once they are allowed to open shop. This includes downloading of the Aarogya Setu app by both clients and staff, PPE kits for all staff members, turning away walk-in customers, using disposable and sterilised equipment, and sanitisation of the gym exercising area every 45 minutes, among others.
There are an estimated 5,500 gyms and over 5,000 salons registered across the city, as per these associations.
“We have written to the CM as well as to labour minister Gopal
Rai to consider reopening gyms, fitness studios and salons next month. We have been suffering losses. We have a complete strategy in place to open shop while maintaining social distancing and ensuring safety of customers,” said Chirag Sethi, vice-president, Delhi Gym Association.
Gyms and salons are closed in Delhi, as per the city-specific guidelines for the fourth phase of the lockdown.
A senior Delhi government official said, “A decision on the matter will be taken by the government after the Centre issues the new set of guidelines for the period from June 1.”
Meenakshi Dutt, vice president, Delhi Salons Association, said, “Salons and parlours in Delhi employ around 300,000 people, most of whom come from modest backgrounds. They have been jobless for almost two months and are surviving on 50% salaries. For how long can all of us survive without work with rents and bills to pay?” .
Brijesh Goyal, convenor, Aam Aadmi Party’s trade and industry wing, said he had also received requests from these sectors and will be sending recommendations to the government.
App-based service providers like Urban Company (formerly Urban Clap) too have appealed to the government to allow restarting of services.
“We have appealed to the Delhi government on multiple occasions to allow us to resume at-home beauty and wellness services,” said Mukund Kulashekaran, SVP Beauty and Wellness Vertical, Urban Company.