Coronavirus in Delhi: Amid aggravating Covid-19 situation in New Delhi, speculations of a probable lockdown are going rife in the national capital which got further fuelled after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s press conference in which he talked about a local level lockdown. However, refuting all the rumours, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that Delhi government has no intentions of imposing a lockdown.

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“We believe lockdown is not a solution in the fight against Covid-19.  Solution is -better hospital management and better medical systems. Delhi government has managed the medical system well & will do it in future too, said Sisodia, refuting the speculations.

“I'd like to assure shopkeepers, they need not be scared. We don't intend to impose a lockdown. We want your shops to remain open...If needed, regulations will be increased in some markets -that's what we requested from centre. But it won't be a lockdown in any manner,” Sisodia said.

Traders' body opposes Kejriwal's move to close Delhi markets

His statement comes at a time when the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has slammed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not consulting the traders of the national Capital before sending a proposal seeking permission from the Centre to close markets here in a bid to curb the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases since last week.

The CAIT has opposed the closing of markets in New Delhi proposed by the Aam Aadmi Party government. There is trade nearly worth Rs 700 crore per day in Delhi, of which Rs 500 crore trade takes place through goods sent to the people residing in other states. Delhi is the largest business distribution centre in the country.

The traders' body on Tuesday said the state government should have taken them into confidence before sending off the proposal to the Centre or before taking any such decision.

Cap on gatherings in Delhi:

While responding to questions on the new limit on the number of attendees in gatherings like marriages, he said: “ Lt Gov has given approval. This was essential as larger the crowd at a place, the more harmful it is. Lockdown won't be imposed but people have to be stopped from gathering in large numbers.”

Delhi LG has approved the AAP government's proposal to cap the number of attendees in weddings. The number has been limited to 50 people. On Tuesday, Kejriwal sought Centre's direction for limiting the number of people in gatherings like marriages to up to 50 persons.