Delhi tightens restrictions, bans gathering of more than 5 people
CM Arvind Kejriwal says govt may resort to a total lockdown if virus starts spreading in city
nNEW DELHI: Public gatherings of more than five people were banned on Saturday by the Delhi government, which tightened a restriction put in place to prevent community transmission of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), and announced a relief package for low-income earners struggling with loss of work or pay cuts in the aftermath of the outbreak.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal told reporters through live streaming on the internet that his Aam Aadmi Party government had stopped short of a total lockdown, but may have to take recourse to one if the need arises.
“As of now, at least 26 cases of coronavirus have been reported in Delhi, in which one person has died. Once the virus starts spreading in the city, it will be very difficult to control it. So, we are furthering the ban on gatherings. From today (Saturday), any gathering of more than five people will not be allowed in Delhi. This supersedes Delhi government’s previous order of prohibiting gatherings of more than 20 people,” Kejriwal said.
Be it those living with large families or those standing in a queue, he asked people to maintain a distance of at least one metre from one another.
Extending relief to the economically weaker sections facing income loss for lack of work, the chief minister said that every ration cardholder will get 50% extra foodgrains and sugar from the Public Distribution System starting at the end of March. In addition, the government is arranging free lunch and dinner at 220 night shelters. The meals will be available for all,the CM said.
“The restrictions that are in place due to coronavirus are causing a terrible financial stress to the poor. Workers are not getting their daily wages and we don’t want anyone to sleep on an empty stomach. So the Delhi government has decided to give a total of 7.5 kg of ration to every beneficiary and this will be totally free. We are trying to advance the disbursal of ration for the month of April to March 30,” Kejriwal said.
Wheat is available at ₹2/kg, rice at Rs.3/kg and sugar at ₹13/ kg under the PDS .The rations will be provided free of cost and the quantity will be 50% more than the entitlement. The chief minister urged people not to queue up at ration shops, promising that all 1,8 million families enrolled with the city’s public distribution system will be given the essential items.
The government also doubled the pension for widows, differently abled and the elderly for this month, a step that Kejriwal said will benefit 850,000 beneficiaries. This means such beneficiaries will get ₹4,000- 5,000 pension by April 7.
As a preventive measure and to practice social distancing, the has already ordered the closure of all educational institutions, malls (except grocery and medical stores in them), restaurants, weekly markets, cinema halls, gyms, nightclubs and spas. A number of markets are voluntarily shutting to prevent the spread of the virus.
To attract more people to the Delhi government’s paid quarantine facilities in hotels, the administration also directed that taxes be waived on the quarantine room charges. With the latest order, quarantine rooms in these hotels will now be available at a flat rate of Rs 3,100 per night. It includes breakfast, lunch and dinner; two bottles of mineral water per day; tea and coffee and facilities such as Wifi and TV.
Kejriwal urged all senior citigovernment zens to remain indoors and skip morning/evening walks for the time being. “I want to appeal to the senior citizens, especially who are above 60, to stay indoors. Senior citizens are more vulnerable to the coronavirus. I would request you to stay indoors, skip morning walks, practice yoga and exercise at home, and maintain distance from others even at your home,” he said.