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Uptick in cases: Delhi govt bans political, social gatherings

Uptick in cases: Delhi govt bans political, social gatherings
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New Delhi: With Coronavirus cases rising rapidly in the national Capital, the Delhi government on Saturday announced stricter curbs, allowing Delhi Metro and DTC buses to operate only at 50 per cent capacity and limiting the number of guests at weddings to 50, officials said.

The city government also prohibited all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural and religious gatherings in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 7,897 fresh cases on Saturday with the positivity rate breaching the 10 per cent-mark again. The national Capital also reported 39 new fatalities, according to the Health department.

A negative RT-PCR report will be required for travellers arriving in the national Capital from Maharashtra by air, the DDMA said, adding those without a report will have to undergo 14-day quarantine.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority said restaurants, bars can operate at 50 per cent occupancy.

Delhi Metro, DTC and cluster buses will run at 50 per cent occupancy in view of the rising Coronavirus cases, it said. It added that colleges and coaching institutions will remain shut in Delhi. Not more than 20 people are allowed in funeral gatherings and up to 50 in weddings, it said. Swimming pools will also remain closed except for training of sportspersons participating in national and international events.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said lockdown is "not an option" but some restrictions will be put in place in the national Capital which is reeling under the fourth wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. He said this during an interaction with reporters after visiting the LNJP Hospital — the mainstay of Delhi's fight against COVID-19 — to review its preparedness.

"Lockdown is not an option, however, we will be putting some restrictions in place to contain the spread of the virus. We will release the restrictions in the coming few days. COVID centres are being rebuilt and some have already started functioning," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office.

Kejriwal said the administration and hospitals are working to contain the fourth wave of the pandemic

in the city.

"We are currently in a comfortable position with reference to beds and ventilators. We will ensure that the people of Delhi stay safe, to the best of our abilities," he added.

"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan hospital on Saturday, to review its preparation in the face of the fourth wave of the Coronavirus pandemic that has hit Delhi. He took stock of the situation and the facilities provided to the patients in the hospital," the statement said.

At present, 1,500 beds out of 2,000 are reserved for COVID-19 patients, and the number might be increased according to requirements in the future, Kejriwal said.

Asked about the vaccination campaign and preparation of the government in the face of rising cases, Kejriwal said: "I have written a letter to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), in which I have said that if adequate doses of the vaccination are made available to us; if we are given permission to increase the number of vaccination centres and if the age limit is removed then within 2-3 months we can vaccinate the entire state."

He asserted: "I cannot talk about the rest of the country, but according to Delhi government's level of preparation if these three pre-conditions are met, we can assure you that all residents of Delhi will be vaccinated within 2-3 months."

Once everyone is vaccinated, it will greatly aid in containing and ending the severity of the virus, he said.

"At the moment, we have vaccination for 7-10 days and the conditions for administering them, particularly the age limit, are very rigid. According to me, there is an impending need to remove these obstacles that are coming in the way of the vaccination campaign," the statement said.

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