A huge crowd was witnessed outside liquor shops as soonas Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a week-long lockdown inNational Capital. People are seen flouting Covid norms as they gathered in KhanMarket.
CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced a week-long lockdown inDelhi. The lockdown will begin from 10 pm tonight till 5 am next Monday whichmeans it will last till 26 April.
While announcing the lockdown, Arvind Kejriwal addressedthe people of Delhi saying, “I appeal to Delhiites to follow lockdown which isnecessary to reduce Covid cases; we will improve the health system during thistime.” Chief Minister Kejriwal also appealed to migrant workers not to leavethe city during this period of lockdown.
Chief Minister also said that essential services, foodservices, medical services will continue and wedding can be held with agathering of only 50 people.
As soon as Arvind Kejriwal announced the lockdown, peoplestarted gathering wildly outside liquor shops in areas like Lajpatnagar, LaxmiNagar, Jahangirpuri. Long lines are observed outside these shops as people areflouting social distancing norms.
Last year, the exact situation was observed when thegovernment had given few relaxations after several months of lockdown. Liquorshops had witnessed huge crowds even when the pandemic was at a peak.
Meanwhile, the government has changed the age ofpurchasing liquor to 21 years. Earlier, according to new policies new liquorshops were to be opened. However, now Manish Sisodia has rejected thisproposal.
Delhi has reported about 23,500 new cases in the last 24hours. On this continuously rising number, Delhi CM said, “If 25,000 patientscome every day then the system will crumble, there’s a shortage of beds.”
India has reported 2,75,196 new cases on April 18 andrecorded 1,620 fatalities. So far, the country has crossed the 1.5 crore markfor covid cases and 1,78,793 deaths.