New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday in a tweet said that he has directed all DMs, SDMs and municipal commissioners to set up portable washbasins with automatic soap dispensers in public spaces that have not yet been shut.
He tweeted: "The most foolproof way to stop Coronavirus from spreading is frequent washing of hands with soap."
Kejriwal with his cabinet ministers also held a review meeting with all district authorities to discuss measures taken against the spread of Coronavirus in the national Captial. Kejriwal and ministers Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Kailash Gahlot reviewed the measures on the Coronavirus prevention, through videoconferencing at the Delhi Secretariat. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court issued dates in most of the matters in the advance list in wake of the outbreak to avoid overcrowding and gathering in the court.
"I want to appeal to all those people through the media that all those people who have been home quarantined should remain cautious in their approach of not contacting and meeting other people till everything is under control. We have already shut down all the schools, colleges, swimming pools, till March 31. From Monday onwards, the government has decided to shut down gyms, night clubs, pubs, and spas also," said CM Arvind Kejriwal. The SDMs and MCD commissioners have been directed to ensure that mobile washbasins, with soaps and regular running water, shall be arranged at all major locations. Each SDM will have to arrange for a specific number of mobile washbasins in their areas. Hand sanitisers will also be provided to all the staff and personnel working across all public places.
CM Arvind Kejriwal said that the preventive measures on behalf of the government have been taken based on what has been witnessed in other nations. "The surge in the Coronavirus cases in Italy has taught us that we need to be prepared for any emergency. In our nation, it is fortunately in a containment state. There has been no major community transmission of the disease. But we have to be prepared against all odds." he added.
He said that these orders shall be liable to be followed by all people present in all kinds of social gatherings, including protests. If required, we will also formulate plans on shutting down shopping malls across the city.
"The people who have been quarantined and are not satisfied with the facilities of the hospitals or the isolation wards that they are kept in can pay to be shifted to a hotel for the same. These people can be shifted to Ibis, Lemon Tree, and Red Fox," the Delhi CM said.Kejriwal said: "I want to appeal to the people to cooperate with the authorities. The governments are doing whatever they can to contain the outbreak, but it is only with your cooperation that our efforts will be successful. Many countries have witnessed a major outbreak of the virus, which has fortunately not happened in our country. I will also request everyone to stop shaking hands with each other, ensure that you regularly wash your hands and sanitise them properly, and to not touch your face and eyes with hands."
CM Kejriwal added that the people who have been quarantined have been categorised into three sections, firstly – people who have a travel history and have shown symptoms will be treated as patients, secondly - people who are above 60 and are suffering from some disease, and lastly - who are young and have no symptoms. These people are initially kept in quarantine for a period of 24 hours, and people from
the second and third categories are sent for home quarantine. "Buses and metro are being disinfected daily. We have also started the free disinfection of taxis and autos on all the
bus depots across Delhi," he added.