New Delhi, May 29 (IANS): The New Delhi Bar Association on Friday allowed lawyers to open their chambers in Patiala House Court complex on odd-even basis for three hours.

Only one lawyer along with one assistant will be allowed to sit in the chamber from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. No litigants or clients will be permitted inside the complex.

"Life is more important than anything else. However, since there is no improvement in overall situation and number of Covid-19 positive cases is rising day by day, we also have to find ways of going ahead taking all possible precautions," said NDBA secretary Nagendra Kumar in a circular.

It added, "Chambers have been made open with effect from May 29 from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on odd-even basis for the members to operate with certain guidelines.a

The arrangement will be reviewed after fifteen days and necessary steps will be taken to bring total normalcy on the campus, the circular added.

"We request the members to visit the courts only if urgent, else stay at home and be safe; chambers with odd numbers such as ending with 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 shall open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday whereas all even number chambers such as 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 shall open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday."

Nagendra Kumar said that only self-driven vehicles will be permitted inside the court complex. Those with chauffeur will have to park the car outside the court complex and drivers will not be allowed inside court premises.

NDBA is making necessary arrangements for sanitization and disinfection of chambers from inside.

"For the safety of members, it is advised that unless very important, please do not visit the court and stay safe," the circular said.