Delhi lockdown extended by one week with stricter rules, no metro services from tomorrow

The Delhi government on Sunday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown by another week in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation. The lockdown will remain in force till 5 am on May 17.

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New Delhi
May 9, 2021
UPDATED: May 9, 2021 14:39 IST
The lockdown will remain in place till 5 am on May 17. (Photo: PTI)

The Delhi government on Sunday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown by another week in the wake of the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the city. The restrictions will be in place till May 17.

This would be the fourth week of the lockdown imposed as the Covid-19 numbers in the city skyrocketed.

Stating that even though Covid-19 cases have come down in the last few days, Arvind Kejriwal said any slackness would squander the gains achieved so far in the current wave of the pandemic. "The Delhi government had been forced to impose lockdown amid a steep rise in Covid-19 cases on April 20. Although, the cases have come down and the positivity rate has reduced from 35 per cent on April 26 to around 23 per cent now, strictness is needed," he said.

Addressing a virtual press conference, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also announced that metro services will remain suspended during the period.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation tweeted: "In the wake of revised guidelines issued today by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi, on extension of Curfew in Delhi for the containment of Covid-19, the Delhi Metro services on all its Lines shall also remain suspended for passenger/essential services from 10 May till 5:00 AM of 17 May."

The order, passed by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), says that there shall be an extension of curfew on the movement of individuals in the NCT of Delhi till 5 am on May 17.

Here's what all has been prohibited:

There will be a complete prohibition of the marriage ceremony in public places-- marriage halls, banquet halls, hotels and similar places
The marriage may be organised in Court or homes in which no more than 20 people will be allowed to participate
The movement for the said shall be allowed with the production of soft copy or hard copy of marriage card
The DJ, sound system, catering or similar kind of services will not be allowed for the marriage ceremony
All authorities concerned shall be responsible for ensuring Covid Appropriate Behaviour viz wearing of a mask, maintaining social distancing in all mandis, lSBTs, railway platforms/stations as well as at all shops which are providing essential goods and services during curfew such as grocery shops, medicine shops, fruits and vegetable shops, roadside vendors
No shops (of non-essential commodities or services) or weekly markets to function illegally within the jurisdiction of respective District Magistrates. The defaulting persons, shopkeepers, weekly marketers will be liable to strict action as per the applicable laws and rules
Police authorities shall ensure effective checking of movement of persons and vehicles by putting an adequate number of checking points/pickets with the objective to prevent unnecessary movement of people on roads during curfew
Delhi Police shall also ensure that movement of individuals and vehicles should be allowed strictly as per the guidelines/protocols prescribed in the curfew order

However, essential workers being allowed to travel by showing their identity cards, and others being able to apply for an e-pass.

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Posted bySushmita Ghosh