Will Seal Areas & Shops Flouting Social Distancing Norms, Says Kejriwal After Rucks At Delhi Liquor Stores

CM Arvind Kejriwal has appealed all citizens to follow social distancing after the necessary precautions were neglected at liquor shops in certain parts of Delhi, becoming a health risk for all those present.

Photo: Twitter/@AamAadmiParty

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday strictly conveyed that if social distancing norms are not followed, the authorities will be forced to seal the areas and shops where such incidents are reported. This statement comes after people rushed to liquor shops after they were reopened in green and orange zones on Monday. There was a complete violation of social distancing in front of many shops. Following this, all liquor shops that were operational in East Delhi had to be shut down after a few hours. "It was unfortunate that chaos was seen at some shops today in Delhi...If we come to know about violations of social distancing and other norms from any area, then we will have to seal the area and revoke the relaxations there," Kejriwal said.

If people will not follow social distancing, we will shut down the shops. We all need to act more responsibly now.

I request you all with folded hands please follow social distancing: CM @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/4gPDW4fEjh — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 4, 2020

Several allegations were leveled against him for opening wine shops amid the coronavirus crisis. In his video appeal, he reminded that the Delhi government is providing relaxations that have been approved by the Central government. As per the CM, the onus of following necessary rules in such cases lies on the shop owners as ultimately they will suffer when their shops are shut. He said, "shop owners will have to take the responsibility, if the norms of social distancing are violated outside a shop then the shop will be shut." CM Kejriwal has once again urged citizens to ensure that they follow necessary preventive measures which include three things - wearing a mask, ensuring social distancing and washing/sanitizing hands. Evoking the example of how Delhi defeated dengue 5 years back, the CM said "people of Delhi have defeated dengue. 5 years back, there were 16,000 cases, over 60 died. Last year, there were 1,500 cases and not a single death. If we take the necessary precautions and follow the guidelines, we can defeat corona as well."