Coronavirus Pandemic: Delhi Metro To Remain Shut Even After Janta Curfew; 98 New Cases Reported In India

In an official announcement, DMRC clarified that only essential service employees and workers can use the metro from 6 am to 8 am and general public from 8 am to 10 am in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak.

Delhi Metro has also announced suspension of metro services for the entire day on Sunday (March 22) during Janta Curfew. (Getty Image)

New Delhi: In the wake of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for Janta Curfew and social distancing, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday said that its services will remain closed from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday (March 23). Metro services will again resume from 4 pm from all lines and will continue till 8 pm only. In an official announcement, DMRC clarified that only essential service employees and workers can use the metro from 6 am to 8 am and general public from 8 am to 10 am. "The objective of this staggered Metro services plan is aimed at facilitating all stakeholders with effectiveness and to promote ‘social distancing’, which is very much required to contain spread of Coronavirus," the DMRC said in a statement.

Public Service Announcement regarding Delhi Metro's services on 23rd March 2020 (Monday). pic.twitter.com/P4tmN62HhZ

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) March 21, 2020

The Delhi Metro has also announced suspension of metro services for the entire day on Sunday (March 22) during Janta Curfew.

In the wake of ‘Janta Curfew’ to be observed this Sunday i.e, on 22nd March 2020, DMRC has decided to keep its services closed. The move is aimed at encouraging public to stay indoors and maintain social distancing, which is essential in the fight against Covid-19. #JantaCurfew

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) March 20, 2020

In order to prevent further spread of the deadly virus, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday announced that all markets in the national capital will remain close for three days, starting from today (Saturday) March 21. However, essential good providers including chemists, dairy and general consumer items will remain open during this time. According to reports, the traders' association will review the situation on evening of March 23 and will decide their future action. Meanwhile, 98 new cases of deadly Coronavirus have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours, taking the total toll to 283 as off Saturday evening. According to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the total number of positive cases of Coronavirus has mounted to 283 in the country, out of which 23 were discharged and cured of the virus across India, four have died, while 256 people still remained active. This rise in new positive cases on Saturday is almost double of the growth rate since over the same period with 50 new cases were reported on Friday. At least 11,737 deaths have been recorded since the virus first emerged in December, according to news agency AFP. There have been more than 277,106 infections reported in 164 countries and territories. Italy alone has recorded 4,032 deaths out of 47,021 cases, with 5,129 recoveries. China has 81,008 cases, including 3,255 fatalities and 71,740 people recovered. The worst affected countries after Italy and China are Iran with 1,556 deaths, Spain with 1,326 deaths, and France with 450 deaths.