Coronavirus: Will Lockdown Delhi If Need Arises, Says CM Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi government on Saturday said that there is no lockdown in the national capital for now but would have to do if the need arises in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. During his first-ever digital-only press conference, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that restrictions imposed by the government in view of the COVID-19 were causing a terrible financial stress to the poor. “Daily wage labourers are losing their livelihood due to coronavirus. We have decided to provide free ration to over 72 Lakh people who are dependent on the Delhi government’s ration scheme. Each person will now get 7.5kg ration instead of 5kg that they usually get,” Kejriwal said.

“We are doubling widow, old age, divyang pensions for April. We will provide food in night shelters free of cost,” he added.

Kejriwal also said that five o more people should not gather at any place in Delhi. “If there are five people, they should maintain at least one-metre distance from each other. According to an earlier order, 20 or more people were barred from gathering at a place,” the chief minister said.

He requested people to discontinue their morning walks for some time and stay at home. Kejriwal said only 50 per cent buses would ply on roads in Delhi during the ‘Janata curfew’ on Sunday.

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Meanwhile, a total of 298 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country. Out of the total number, four people have died and 22 others have been recovered. 1600 Indians and people from other countries were kept in quarantine centres in India. Today 262 people from Rome, mostly students will come and they will be kept in quarantine centres, said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.