Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, in a bid to curb the rising Covid-19 cases in the national capital, announced that the fine for not wearing face masks in public has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. He also declared that the number of beds for Covid patients have been increased amid the surge.

From November 19, Delhi government is implementing its call to reserve 80 per cent of ICU beds in private hospitals for those infected with Covid-19, Kejriwal added, while urging people not to celebrate Chhath at public water bodies in the city.

Addressing a virtual press briefing, the CM said the government had directed private hospitals to increase the number of non-ICU Covid-19 beds from 50 per cent to 60 per cent.

Announcing the fine hike for not wearing the masks, Kejriwal informed that he had met Lt Governor Anil Baijal to brief him about the steps taken by his government to curb the spread of the infection.

“Arrangements are being made for over 1,400 ICU beds, including 663 in Delhi government hospitals and 750 at a Central government facility,” he said, adding that about 7,500 general and 446 ICU beds are available for the city’s Covid-19 patients at the moment.

“The hospitals have also been asked to postpone non-critical planned surgeries for the time being,” said Kejriwal.

Talking about the all-party meeting regarding the pandemic situation in Delhi, the chief minister said he had received assurance of cooperation from all political parties regarding the control of the same. He said that he had urged them to distribute masks among the masses to help better the situation.

Kejriwal urged people to stop doing politics over the pandemic and appealed to them to perform Chhath Puja at their homes.

“Even if one COVID-19 infected person enters the water during Chhath Puja, all others might get infected by the virus”, the CM said.

“The Delhi government is being forced to restrict Chhath Puja celebrations at riverbanks, ponds and other public places due to the threat of the infection,” he added.

The Delhi government has also directed all district magistrates (DMs) to take appropriate measures to double the number of testing centres in their areas immediately, after discussing the same with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The national capital has witnessed a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases since October 28, and recorded 7,486 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the infection tally to over 5 lakh. A total of 133 people died on this day, making the death toll the highest in the city as of now.