Vendors be allowed to distribute newspapers from 4-9 am: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police on Saturday (March 28) said newspaper vendors would be allowed to distribute papers from 4 AM to 9 AM amid the 21-day countrywide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The newspaper industry suffered disruption in distribution. Some dailies stopped printing, however, the online editions are running without any hindrance. Several others have removed their paywalls and gave free access to e-paper for all the users.

The order by Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava comes in the wake of reports that newspaper agents and distributors were being stopped amid the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

The order was sent to all deputy commissioners of police in the city.

“It has been reported that at many places, newspaper agents or distributors are being blocked from distributing newspapers. The field functionaries to be instructed to allow the newspaper vendors (to distribute papers),” the order stated.