NEW DELHI, Jan 27: Delhi has lifted the weekend curfew as the covid situation has improved, cases of infection and hospitalisation showing marked decline since last week. But the daily night curfew imposed last month will continue.

A Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting held under the chairmanship of Lt Governor Anil Baijal and attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, however, decided that the schools and other educational institutions will remain shut for the time being, till the situation stabilises.

As per the decisions taken, all private and Government offices, restaurants, bars and cinemas can function with 50% capacity. The odd-even rule for opening of the markets has also been removed.

The DDMA also decided to raise the cap on the number of people allowed to attend weddings in the national Capital to 200.

Officials have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of covid protocols like wearing of mask and following social distancing. It was further decided that reopening of schools will be discussed at the next meeting.

The Delhi Government had last week proposed lifting the weekend curfew and ending the odd-even scheme for shops in view of the easing of the pandemic situation, but the Lt Governor wanted maintaining the status quo on the restrictions till the situation improved further. The traders have also been protesting against the restrictions as it affected their business and demanding lifting of the odd-even scheme under which shops open only on alternate days.

Delhi had on Wednesday reported 7,498 new covid cases and 29 deaths, down from 45 deaths last weekend, and a Test Positivity Rate (TPR) of 10.59 per cent.