Delhi Coronavirus: Kejriwal Proposes A ‘Local Level’ Lockdown For Crowded Markets If Covid-19 Cases Rise Further

Addressing a press conference over the covid-19 situation in New Delhi, Kejriwal said that at several places and marketplaces people are flouting Covid-19 norms and are giving face masks a miss.

Screenshot: Twitter/@ArvindKejriwal

Coronavirus in Delhi: As the situation of Covid-19 continues to remain critical in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he has proposed the Centre for a local-level lockdown in the area in order to check the transmission of the virus. Addressing a press conference over the covid-19 situation in New Delhi, Kejriwal said that at several places and marketplaces people are flouting Covid-19 norms and are giving face masks a miss. "Since cases are rising in Delhi, we are sending a general proposal to Central Govt, that if required, Delhi Govt can implement shutting down those markets for few days, where norms are not being followed and they are becoming a local Covid-19 hotspot, Kejriwal said. Over the shortage of ICU beds, he said "I am thankful to Central govt for helping Delhi people by increasing 750 ICU beds immediately. All governments and agencies have doubled their efforts to control Covid-19 but it can't be done till people take precautions." Kejriwal at the same time made an appeal to all to wear masks and follow social distancing. Kejriwal has also sought Centre's direction for limiting the number of people in gatherings like marriages to up to 50 persons. Delhi witnessed significantly low numbers of coronavirus tests in the last 24 hours on Monday, with latest government figures recording 3,797 new cases and pushing the national capital's total tally to 4,89,202. While the lesser number of cases reported in the last 24 hours in the national capital may bring a sigh of relief compared with earlier days where the daily cases spiked to as high as 8,500, the fact remains that the figures came after mere 29,821 tests in the 24 hours right after Diwali celebrations in Delhi.