Weekend curfew in Delhi, malls, gyms and spas to be closed: Kejriwal
The Delhi government on Thursday (April 15) imposed weekend curfew and ordered malls, gyms, spas and auditoriums to close, even on weekdays, until further orders in a bid to break the chain of COVID infections.
At an online press briefing, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the spike in cases had put medical infrastructure and healthcare workers under strain.
There will be no in-house dining at restaurants and cinema halls will be allowed to operate with only 30 per cent capacity, the CM said a day after the city recorded the biggest single-day jump of 17,282 cases. He said essential services and weddings would not be affected during the curfew and passes would be provided to those attending weddings.
The CM also said there was no shortage of hospital beds and more than 5,000 were still available for COVID patients. Efforts to increase the number of beds will also be made, he said.
Also read: Situation very serious, warns Kejriwal as daily cases hit record high
Restaurants will be allowed to make home deliveries, Kejriwal announced, adding that only one weekly market in a zone will be allowed to open per day and steps will be taken to control crowds in those permitted to function.
Also read: Steps being taken to increase number of beds in Delhi hospitals: CM
“Over 5,000 beds are available and we are trying to add more beds, including those with oxygen support. But cases are rising and the government has taken a few measures. Weekend curfew will be imposed in the city. On weekdays, people go out to earn. During weekends, people mostly go out for entertainment purposes. So, to break the chain of transmission, weekend curbs are being enforced,” Kejriwal said.
The decision to bring back the curbs was taken at a meeting attended by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Kejriwal and other officials.
Last year, Delhi was under complete lockdown between March 22 and May 18.
