The Capital would be placed under a six-day “total curfew” starting Monday night till early next Monday morning, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced here.
The announcement came after Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal and Mr. Kejriwal met to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the city where both agreed that the city’s health system had “reached its limit.”
According to Mr. Kejriwal, an estimated 23,500 new COVID-19 cases had surfaced in Delhi over the last 24 hours. The curfew will be in place between 10 p.m. on Monday night till 5 a.m. next Monday, April 26.
L-G Baijal instructed that the issue of migrant labourers and workers be “totally addressed” during the implementation of the curfew.
It was also decided that the L-G would write to Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath with regards to oxygen supply in the Capital and also speak to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan about enhancement of hospital beds in Delhi.
“You know that I have always been strictly against a lockdown but both the L-G and I agreed that we have no option because the city’s health system has reached its limit,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
“I appeal to migrant labourers not to leave the city because it is a short lockdown, we will take very good care of you. During these six days, we will make arrangements for oxygen, medicines and hospital beds; we will confront this situation and we will win,” he also said.
According to the government, essential service providers such as doctors, police personnel, the media and students going for exams will be allowed on the production of ID cards or admit cards.
An e-pass will be required for movement by grocery shop employees, food and e-commerce delivery personnel. Religious places will be allowed to open but not allowed to have visitors. Those heading to weddings will be allowed to, given the production of an invitation card.
The Delhi Metro and public buses will only cater up to 50% of their total capacity; malls, gyms, cinemas will be shut and no religious, political or social gatherings will be allowed.