Weekend curfew in Delhi; essential services allowed
New Delhi: As the fourth wave of the pandemic surges in the Capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced that the Delhi government would be locking down the city for the upcoming weekend in light of the increasingly fast-spreading infection, adding that a decision would be taken for the next weekend after due re-assessment.
According to an official order, the weekend curfew will be effective from 10 pm on April 16 (Friday) to 5 am on April 19 (Monday), even as gymnasiums, auditoriums, malls, spas, entertainment parks and assembly halls will remain closed in the national capital till April 30.
However, the Delhi government has allowed cinema halls and multiplexes to continue functioning but with a rider that they maintain a 30 per cent cap on the number of people.
In addition to this, while food delivery services and takeaway services will run during the lockdown all restaurants, pubs will be shut for dine-in services.
"We understand that these restrictions might be of inconvenience for you, but also hope that you understand the need for these restrictions in the present conditions and support the government," CM Kejriwal said while making the announcement to the public.
Kejriwal said that the government has been noticing a callous attitude in terms of wearing masks, observing social distancing, which is not good for the public's safety and security. "We will be stricter in implementing these regulations once again. These restrictions are being put in place for you, your families, your health, your lives," he said.
The decision to implement the weekend lockdown came after the CM met with L-G Anil Baijal over the rising COVID-19 cases on Thursday morning, where the CM urged the L-G to ensure stricter enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines issued by the DDMA.
The implementation of night curfew may be a challenge, one senior official said, adding that the Delhi government will also monitor crowds at weekly markets, and other public places will see stricter implementation of COVID norms and those found flouting will be penalised.
At the meeting, it was also decided to cut back on the operation of weekly markets to the format of allowing only one such market to open per day per zone. The concerned weekly market for each day will be decided by the Zonal Dy Commissioner, the DDMA order said.
"We will also monitor crowds at weekly markets and release guidelines pertaining to this as well. Markets, public places, etc. will see a stricter implementation of COVID norms," the CM also said.
The Delhi government has said that it will issue passes for certain categories of people to ease their movement over the weekends just like it did during night curfew. In fact, the categories of activities and people exempted from the weekend curfew are the same as the ones spelt out in the order imposing the night curfew.
Marriages that have been planned and arrangements made months in advance will also be allowed but with only 50 people. "We understand your needs and for this, we will be making curfew passes and allowing movement. Those who require can apply and we will, in a prompt manner, ensure they are made available," the CM said.
Curfew passes will be required for anyone going for their vaccine shots, and those associated with a list of commercial and private activities exempted from the lockdown.
These include grocery shop trips, tech and I-T services sector, petrol pumps, CNG stations and other categories which are the same as during the night curfew. People going to airports, railway stations and lSBTs will be allowed to proceed with the production of valid tickets.
"It is my humble appeal to the people of Delhi that they support us and follow the guidelines that have been laid down today. I hope that by following these guidelines and working together, we will be able to overcome and defeat the fourth wave of Corona as well," the CM added.
