DelhiChief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a weekend curfew in thenational capital to break the chain of Covid-19 pandemic, which has shown anuptrend for the past few days.
Consideringexponential surge in Covid cases, Kejriwal, in a virtual video conference,announced weekend curfew in the city giving relaxation to essential servicesand upcoming marriages with provisions of providing them certain passes toavoid panic.
Citingthat the decision has been taken after a series of meetings conducted sincemorning -- first with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and then with the HealthMinister, Chief Secretary, Health Secretary and other top officials -- Kejriwalsaid 'it is decided to impose weekend curfew in Delhi to break the chain of transmissionof coronavirus'.
"Itis unanimously decided to impose weekend curfew because people normally visitoutside their homes for entertainment or other activities which can becurtailed. The restriction may not create much problem to the people. The purposeis to break the chain of Covid infection on weekends," Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal,however, clarified that essential services like visiting hospitals, railwaystations and airports will not be hampered. Besides, the marriages, which arealready fixed, will not face any kind of difficulties, he said.
"Allsuch activities will be allowed by providing curfew passes," the DelhiChief Minister clarified, adding "all such persons can apply passes andthey will be provided these passes without any harassment".
Kejriwalfurther announced that Malls, Gyms, Spas and Auditoriums will be closed duringthe restrictions, and cinema halls will be allowed to run with 30 per centcapacity.
Oneweekly market with per day, per zone method will be allowed, Kejriwal said.
"Therewill be some special provisions for weekly markets to avoid crowds. An orderwill soon be released regarding the move."
Forrestaurants, Kejriwal said, "nobody will be allowed to eat there, and onlyhome delivery will be allowed".
"Enforcementwill be stricter at all public places and markets so that social distancing anduse of masks should be implemented properly," Kejriwal said.
"Therestrictions are for you, your lives and your health. I know that theserestrictions will create problems, but it will help us in defeating the 4thwave of Corona," the Chief Minister added.
Thesteps were taken after Delhi logged more than 17,000 fresh cases of coronavirus-- another record high since the pandemic reached the national capital lastyear -- on Wednesday. The number of fatalities was 104 -- the highest sinceNovember 30.