COVID-19: Current Scenario in India

As Delhi is witnessing a sudden spike in the COVID-19 cases, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared a weekend curfew in the capital. After a meeting about the alarming COVID-19 situation, Arvind Kejriwal announced “Delhi will shut down on weekends from Friday to break the chain of transmission as it tackles a steep rise in Covid cases.” Delhi witnessed around 17,282 cases and 104 deaths in the last 24 hours which is the highest ever single-day spike.

Along with the weekend curfew, restaurants, shopping malls and auditoriums will remain closed till further orders, even on weekdays, as per Kejriwal. Here is a list of activities that are allowed and restricted during the weekend curfew.

• Essential activities like the already planned wedding will be allowed with passes.
• Auditoriums, restaurants, malls, gyms and spas are going to be shut down and movie theatres will be allowed with a third of their capacity on weekdays. Eating out in a restaurant is completely banned and home deliveries and takeaways are permitted.
• Markets that run on a weekly basis are permitted but with restrictions – one market will be allowed on any day at a given zone.
• Arvind Kejriwal called this new wave of virus deadlier and said all gatherings — social, religious or political will be banned. Only 50 people will be allowed in a wedding and 20 people will be allowed at funerals.

“These restrictions are for your sake, for you and your families. It will be inconvenient but these restrictions are necessary to break the chain of transmission,” Arvind Kejriwal said in a video address. He further added that there is absolutely no need to panic and all the basic amenities and essential services will be available to the people without any hassles during the weekend curfew.

Seeing the highest stats of COVID cases on Wednesday, it becomes extremely important to take any action on the surging cases. The government of Delhi is taking every possible action to curb the spread. We will also be linking banquet halls, schools and sports complexes to hospitals in order to increase the beds for the patients. We have also directed private hospitals to save certain beds for the COVID patients.

Footnote

As the coronavirus cases keep on escalating, staying at home and the following safety, protocols are the best way to safeguard your health. Make sure to follow the safety measures and get yourself vaccinated!