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Do not go out unless absolutely necessary, urges Kejriwal as Covid cases rise

‘Lockdown should only be imposed if the hospital system collapses’

Arvind Kejriwal addresses a press conference on Sunday. Screengrab

Our Bureau, Agencies
New Delhi | Published 11.04.21, 12:43 PM

The Covid-19 situation in Delhi is "very serious" with 10,732 fresh cases of infection being reported in the last 24 hours, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday.

He asked people not to go out of their homes unless it is urgent, and use face masks and sanitisers and maintain social distance.

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The chief minister said his government does not want to impose lockdown.

"I believe lockdown is not a solution to deal with Covid-19. It should only be imposed if the hospital system collapses," he said.

He, however, asked people to remain in home isolation if infected with the virus instead of rushing to hospitals.

"The hospital beds should be left vacant for serious patients. It should not be so that people rush to hospitals and all beds are occupied and then lockdown is to be imposed," he said in a press conference.

Kejriwal asked all political parties to work together to fight the coronavirus spread, saying it was not time to do politics and point fingers.

Prohibition of all types of gatherings, reduced size of weddings and funerals, running of public transport at half seating capacity and scaled down presence in government offices were some of the restrictions imposed by the Delhi government on Saturday.

All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic , cultural or religious, festival related and other gatherings and congregations will be prohibited, an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said.

It said all swimming pools, except those being used for training of sportspersons for participation in national and international events, will be closed.

Funerals will be allowed to be attended by 20 persons only while gatherings for marriages will have an upper limit of 50 persons.

Previously, up to 200 and 100 persons were allowed in open and closed venues, respectively, for wedding ceremonies. Up to 50 persons were allowed at funeral gatherings.

Restaurants and bars are allowed up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity, stated the order.

The Delhi Metro will run at 50 per cent of coach capacity. The DTC and Cluster buses too will run at half their capacity, stated the order.

Currently, public buses are allowed to run with full seating capacity although passengers beyond the number of seats are not allowed. In metro trains passengers can sit on alternate seats only.

Stadiums can organise sports events but spectators will not be allowed.Cinemas, theaters, multiplexes will be permitted to open with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity, the order said.

All Delhi government offices will function with 50 per cent employee strength, except Grade-I officers. The remaining staff will work from home, it said.

Arvind Kejriwal District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Covid-19
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