Bukhara Restaurant at the Maurya Hotel in Delhi.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), chaired by Delhi LG Anil Baijal, has allowed Delhi restaurant bars, clubs and hotels to serve liquor from September 9-30 on a trial basis.
A proposal submitted by the Delhi government was approved to allow bars to reopen, on the condition that only 50% seating would be allowed and standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be followed.
The SOPs issued by the DDMA state that only the bars would not be allowed to open in the containment zones. Only asymptomatic customers wearing masks will be allowed to enter after thermal protection at the entrance. Hand sanitizer dispensers should also be available at the entrance.
No more than 50% of the approved seating capacity will be allowed within the restaurant, hotel or club, so that the rules of social distancing are upheld and no standing customers are served. The management of the hotel, restaurant or club would have to deploy the appropriate workforce to ensure social distancing.
Only asymptomatic personnel would be authorized to work at the facility and would have to wear gloves, masks, and maintain full health hygiene, such as frequent hand washing and disinfectants.
Facilities would have to be disinfected at regular intervals, with particular attention to restrooms, stations for drinking and hand washing. Every time a guest leaves, the seats, the tables, etc. should be disinfected and proper disposal of face coverings, masks, gloves, etc. should be ensured. left by guests or staff. Spitting would be strictly prohibited and management would have to display posters or audiovisual media on the preventive measures of Covid-19.
In the event that any violation of the standard operating procedures is discovered by the inspection teams of the DDMA or the Delhi government’s excise department, the owner of the establishment will be subject to legal action under the Disaster Management Act 2005 A judicial process will also be initiated against the general director. or manager and the premises would be sealed. The establishment’s excise license could also be canceled in the event that SOPs are violated.
Last month, Vice Minister Manish Sisodia sent a note to the Commissioner (Excise) stating that several state governments have allowed licensees to serve liquor under the Excise Rules at the table in restaurants and clubs and in hotel rooms. hotel. “Considering the revenue implications, the Excise Department will issue the necessary permit to serve liquor in restaurants and clubs by licensees at the table and in hotel rooms,” the note says.
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