Amidst a rising number of cases in the Capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a six-day complete lockdown in Delhi from 10 pm tonight to Monday at 5 am.
The decision comes at a time when Delhi has emerged out to be the worst-hit city in the country and its health system is at a tipping point.
The weekend curfew enforced to reduce the transmission rate ended this morning.
“Delhi’s health system is at a breaking point. I will not say it has collapsed but the Covid situation is pretty critical,” Arvind Kejriwal was quoted saying.
“I have always been against a lockdown. I believe the lockdown will not finish the virus, but it will reduce the transmission rate. It will give us time to boost our infrastructure. We will use this week-long lockdown to improve our healthcare,” he further added.
Mr. Kejriwal stressed that lockdown was necessary otherwise there could be a “bigger disaster”, as Delhi is running low on hospital beds, medical oxygen, and Remdesivir.
Delhi reported its biggest jump on Sunday, as it reported 25,462 cases and a positivity rate of nearly 30%. The situation is so grim that every third person being tested is turning out to be positive.
Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Mr.Anil Baijal met this morning to discuss the current situation.
Key highlights of the meeting
- The governor will write a letter to the Centre asking for more beds in the city
- He is also expected to write a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for oxygen.
- Mr.Baijal has asked Kejriwal to look after the welfare of the migrant laborers, as they were the worst hit last year by the lockdown.
“I appeal to all that this is a small lockdown of six days. Please don’t leave Delhi. I assure you that the government will look after you,” the Chief Minister addressing the same.
All shops and businesses will be closed down. Only essential services will be permitted.
Similar measures are being taken in other parts of the country, including Maharashtra to reduce the transmission rate of the virus.
