Chandigarh, May 2 (IANS): The Chandigarh administration on Saturday decided to lift curfew in the city from May 3, while the lockdown period will be extended till May 17.

A high-level meeting presided over by Chandigarh Administrator V.P. Singh Badnore took the decision that the containment zone in the city will be restricted to the pockets identified and notified by the administration.

The markets in sectors will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the vehicles will be allowed without passes during this period.

But the odd-even formula will be applied in respect of both opening of shops and use of vehicles.

For example beginning May 4, only shops and vehicles ending with an even number like two, four, six, etc., will be allowed. The rotation will continue accordingly.

The essential shops like groceries, vegetables and medicines can remain open on all days. However, the restaurant or eating places will remain closed. The delivery of cooked food by online agencies will not be allowed.

With six more people tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Chandigarh rose to 94.