A complete lockdown will be imposed in the national capital Delhi from 6 AM on Monday till March 31, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday evening.  The lockdown will be imposed in order to contain the transmission of novel coronavirus in Delhi which already has 27 positive cases of Covid-19 contagion. There are 27 cases in Delhi - 6 of them fall under the category of transmission, 21 had come from foreign countries.

“Delhi will be under lockdown from tomorrow 6 AM to 31st March 12PM. Borders of Delhi will be sealed,” Kejriwal announced in a media briefing, alongside Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

Here is what the lockdown of the national capital would mean:

What shall remain closed:

  • No public transport services including operation of private buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws, rickshaws, and e-rickshaws etc shall be permitted. Only DTC buses shall operate at not more than 25% capacity to cater to personnel engaged in essential services.

  • All private offices will remain closed but the employees - both permanent and contractual - will be considered to be on-duty. The companies will have to provide them the salary for this duration

  • All domestic flights into Delhi banned from tomorrow till March 31.

  • All public places including malls, swimming pools, gyms, cinema halls, schools and offices shall be closed

  • All factories to remain closed

  • All places of religious gathering shall be closed

  • Interstate buses and metro services to remain suspended

  • All construction works need to stop


Services that would remain operational:

  • Emergency services including medical and security ones shall remain functional during the lockdown. No document or proof will be sought from a person if they say that they are out on streets to provide or avail any essential service.

  • The DTC buses plying on the streets shall cater to the conveyance needs of the personnel employed in emergency services

  • Restaurants shall be open only for delivery and take-away services.

  • Ration shops and medical stores shall remain open.

  • Petrol pumps shall remain open.

  • Bank ATMs will be operations

  • Electricity and water boards shall be functional