Delhi bans political, sports gatherings
Full lockdown in Maha soon as India records 1.45L cases of Covid-19
In view of rising Covid-19 cases, Delhi government Saturday announced a slew of curbs on social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious activities, while Maharashtra seemed all set for a harsher and longer lockdown, the date and time for which is yet to be finalised.
An order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) prohibited all types of gatherings, reduced the size of weddings and funerals, cut seating in public transport and restaurants to half and scaled down presence in government offices. It, however, allowed students of class IX-XII to be called to schools for guidance by teachers. Except this, all Delhi government and private schools will remain closed till April 30, the order said.
Funerals will be allowed to be attended by 20 persons only while gatherings for marriages will have an upper limit of 50 persons.
Restaurants and bars are allowed up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity, stated the order.
The Delhi Metro will run at 50 per cent of coach capacity. The DTC and Cluster buses too will run at half their capacity, stipulated the order.
A negative RT-PCR report, not older than 72 hours prior to undertaking a journey, will be compulsory for persons arriving from Maharashtra to Delhi by air. Those found without a negative report will have to remain quarantined for 14 days, the order said.
Delhi on Saturday had 7,897 new Covid-19 cases and 39 deaths. The city’s positivity rate is over 10 per cent. In order to meet
The Maharashtra government is in favour of “stricter-lockdown” for eight to 14 days in order to break the chain of coronavirus, but the Opposition party BJP demanded that the government should come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with the problems of weaker sections. The demand was made in all parties meeting, which was convened by Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday evening to decide whether to go for ‘stricter-lockdown’ in the state in order to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
However, the meeting remained inconclusive. The chief minister will hold a meeting on Sunday with the task force of senior doctors which has been formed to control Covid situation.
A senior state government officer, who is familiar with the development, said, “The chief minister has asked us to come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with daily earners, who are going to be affected the most by the stricter lockdown. The plan can be prepared within the next few days. However, the call for stricter lockdown would be taken very soon as the situation is very grim in Maharashtra.”
Maharashtra on Saturday reported 55,411 new cases rising to a total number of active cases 5,36,682.
An official communication from chief minister’s office said, “If we have to stop the coronavirus’s infection, we will have to impose strict restriction for some time.”
A senior bureaucrat said that everyone agreed in the meeting that Covid situation is becoming very grim day by day, therefore, stricter lockdown is needed. However, what would be the form of stricter lockdown would be decided soon.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said he would hold a meeting on Monday to work out a financial package for the sections of people whose livelihood bear the impact.
Opposing the lockdown, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said it will infuriate common people who are already facing the tough financial situation. “Strict restrictions are needed, but complete lockdown will destroy people’s livelihood. The government also needs to streamline the management of Covid cases.”