Delhi Lockdown: Kejriwal Extends Lockdown For Another Week, Restrictions To Continue Till Monday 5 AM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extended the lockdown for another week and said that the government and state are working together to improve the situation in the capital.

Photo: PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extended the lockdown for another week amid the crisis in the national capital continue. Kejriwal informed that the restrictions will continue till Monday 5 am, May 3rd.

The Delhi Chief Minister said that lockdown was always the last option and the current situation demands the lockdown extension.

 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Corona still continues to wreak havoc. Public opinion is also that lockdown should increase. So the lockdown is being extended for one week".

There is 36 per cent to 37 per cent positivity rate, which was not there before, the Chief Minister said.

Kejriwal said the marginal dip in the positivity rate over the past few days has been a glimmer of hope. He said the government is hopeful of a let-up in the situation in the coming days.  

Kejriwal also spoke on the crisis of oxygen the national capital is facing and said that they have started a portal that will be updated every two hours by oxygen manufacturers, suppliers, and hospitals for better management of oxygen supply. The Central and State teams are working together.

Kejriwal also admitted that there were lapses by the Delhi government and oxygen did not reach the hospitals on time. He also said that Delhi is not receiving the required amount of oxygen and has sought help from other states.

Kejriwal said, "Now the oxygen quota of Delhi has increased from 480 to 490 metric tons. However, the requirement is 700 metric tons and what's reaching us is 330 to 335 metric tonnes only."

The domestic traders' body, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) had also urged the Delhi government to further extend the lockdown beyond April 26 to bring the pandemic under control. In a letter to CM Kejriwal, CAIT said going by the current statistics, the situation is quite alarming in Delhi.

“The CAIT has urged for extension of lockdown in Delhi beyond April 26… as and when the situation is improved, the lockdown can be lifted,” the confederation said in a statement.

According to the earlier order last Sunday, Kejriwal had said that essential services, food services, medical services will continue. Weddings can be held with a gathering of only 50 people, passes will be issued separately for it.