New Delhi: Delhi will go under a lockdown this weekend — from 10 pm Friday (16 April) to 6 am Monday (19 April) morning, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a digital address Thursday.
Only essential services will be allowed to function during the weekend lockdown, with public transport like DTC buses and the Metro also restricted to those providing the services.
Kejriwal also announced other restrictions that will take effect in the capital to curb its surging Covid tally. This includes closure of malls, gyms, spas and auditorium until further notice. Cinema halls will only be allowed to operate with a 30 per cent capacity.
In-dining has been barred at restaurants, but eateries have been allowed takeaway services.
Kejriwal added that only one weekly market per zone per week will be allowed to operate. “The orders for this will be issued by tonight,” he added.
The measures come as Delhi’s daily case tallies soar.
According to the chief minister, Delhi is currently reeling under the “fourth wave” of Covid-19. On Wednesday evening, the capital reported over 17,000 new cases, the highest so far. The positivity rate was recorded at 15.92 per cent, which means approximately 16 per cent of all those taking the Covid test are being diagnosed with the disease.
The number of daily deaths recorded Wednesday was 104 .
Kejriwal also promised to ensure the availability of hospital beds in the capital. “Over 5,000 beds are already available in Delhi and we are in the process of making more arrangements,” Kejriwal said.
Local authorities, he added, should continue to ensure testing and social distancing. “MCD zonal commissioners to be made responsible for this,” he said.
Guidelines regarding inter-state travel over the weekend will be clarified in the order yet to be released, a senior health department official told ThePrint.
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LG to review enforcement
Officials who attended the meeting where the weekend lockdown was decided upon told ThePrint that the government also plans to take steps to make medicines available to the public and will crack down on hoarders. The move is likely to be a response to reports about the shortage of the anti-viral drug, remdesivir, in Delhi and other places.
More Covid care centres will come up in the near future in Delhi in order to decrease dependence on hospitals, they added.
Delhi is currently under a seven-hour night curfew until 30 April, which means no non-essential service is allowed to operate from 10 pm to 5 am.
Earlier this week, Kejriwal said lockdowns are no solution to slowing the spread of coronavirus cases, adding that one would be imposed in Delhi only if the “hospital system collapses”.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal is expected to review the enforcement of Covid restrictions with Delhi Police, divisional commissioners, and MCD commissioners Friday.
Edited by Sunanda Ranjan
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