Delhi government announces 6-day lockdown from 10 pm today

Delhi government has announced a one-week long curfew till next Monday at 5 am from 10 pm on Friday amid rising Covid-19 cases in the state. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announcing the lockdown today, called it necessary with resources at a breaking point in an escalating Covid crisis.

“If we don’t impose a lockdown now, we might face a bigger calamity. The government will take full care of you. We took this tough decision taking the situation into consideration,” Arvind Kejriwal said.

“The six-day lockdown will help us arrange more beds and supplies.”

Mr Kejriwal said ICU beds were almost over and oxygen levels were critically low in the city. He shared that one private hospital had run out of oxygen at 3 am on Saturday, which could have escalated into a massive crisis.

“We are not trying to scare you…I won’t say the health system has collapsed but it is really stressed. There are limits to any system,” said the Chief Minister.

He appealed to migrant workers not to leave Delhi during what he called a ”small lockdown”.

All private offices will go back to Work From Home mode and only government offices and essential services will be open.

Grocers, shops selling food and medicine and newspaper sellers will function. Banks, ATMs, insurance offices will operate. Home deliveries and takeaways will also be allowed.