Will suggest Centre to declare only containment areas as red zone: CM

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the Delhi government will suggest to the Centre that only containment areas in the city be declared as red zones and not the entire district. At present, all 11 districts in the city have been declared as red zones.

Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said we have suggested the Centre to seal those areas where cases of Coronavirus have been reported and rest of areas can be allowed for the operation of all activities.

The Delhi government has also prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to facilitate movement of stranded people including migrant labourers. Thousands of migrant workers are stranded in the city, many of whom are currently residing in government-run facilities.

Kejriwal also announced a number of relief measures that will come into force from Monday, but said the lockdown will continue for another two weeks.

Kejriwal said Coronavirus is going nowhere and it is impossible that cases of Coronavirus will be zero. “Corona(virus) has come. It is impossible that there will be no cases of Coronavirus because it has not happened across the country,” he said.

“Not more than 50 people are allowed at wedding functions and not more than 20 at last rites of a deceased person,” said Kejriwal.

Highlighting the adverse impact of Coronavirus on the exchequer, Kejriwal said in April 2019, the government earned Rs 3,500 crore while in April this year, it only received Rs 300 crore. He said the Centre has put the entire Delhi under red zone due to which markets, malls cannot open. Kejriwal said the Delhi government will also

take strict action against those who spit in public.

He said the government and private offices will open from Monday but the suspension of travel by flight, metro and bus will continue. Even suspension inter-city bus service will continue. Delivery of essential goods through e-commerce portals will continue in the national Capital, he said.

Delhi government offices engaged in essential services will function with full strength while offices of non-essential services and private offices can operate with 33 per cent strength.

“Malls, cinemas, salons, market complexes and Delhi Metro will remain shut while shops selling essentials will continue to be open,” he said, adding that 50 people will be allowed in the marriage function.

As non-essential standalone shops are set to open from Monday, traders are elated that they can finally restart their work.

Earlier in the day, nearly 500 Delhi students stranded at coaching hub Kota in Rajasthan due to the coronavirus lockdown returned to the national Capital on Sunday morning in 40 private buses.