Delhi COVID-19 news: Weekend curfew imposed - know what's allowed, what's not

To control the spread of COVID-19, it has been decided to impose a weekend curfew in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal informed on Thursday (April 15). The curfew will be imposed from Friday (April 16) 10 pm till 6 am on Monday (April 19).

Curfew passes will be issued to those rendering essential services. All malls, gyms, spas and auditoriums will be closed and cinemas halls to operate at 30% capacity only. People will not be allowed to dine-in restaurants, only home deliveries are permitted.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also said that there is no shortage of beds in hospitals in Delhi and according to the latest data, more than 5000 beds are available.

The Arvind Kejriwal government on April 6 imposed a night curfew amid a massive spike in the COVID-19 caseload. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ordered a seven-hour curfew from 10 pm to 5 am will continue till April 30.

Considering the exponential surge in Covid cases, Kejriwal, in a virtual video conference, announced a weekend curfew in the city giving relaxation to essential services and upcoming marriages with provisions of providing them certain passes to avoid panic.

Citing that the decision has been taken after a series of meetings conducted since morning -- first with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and then with the Health Minister, Chief Secretary, Health Secretary and other top officials -- Kejriwal said `it is decided to impose weekend curfew in Delhi to break the chain of transmission of coronavirus`.

"It is unanimously decided to impose weekend curfew because people normally visit outside their homes for entertainment or other activities which can be curtailed. The restriction may not create many problems to the people. The purpose is to break the chain of Covid infection on weekends," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal, however, clarified that essential services like visiting hospitals, railway stations and airports will not be hampered. Besides, the marriages, which are already fixed, will not face any kind of difficulties, he said.

"All such activities will be allowed by providing curfew passes," the Delhi Chief Minister clarified, adding "all such persons can apply for passes and they will be provided these passes without any harassment".

(With agencies inputs)