No IPL matches, sports gatherings till March 31
All swimming pools closed with immediate effect
The Delhi government has stopped all sports gatherings, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, in the national capital amid the coronavirus threat. The government has also ordered the shutting of all public swimming pools with immediate effect till March 31.
Addressing a press conference, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that district magistrates have been asked to ensure that all directives pertaining to coronavirus are implemented and they have also been asked to keep a close watch on the possible spread of the virus in their respective regions.
The deputy chief minister announced that all sports gatherings will be banned, including the IPL, in wake of the coronavirus threat.
“Social distancing is the most effective way to stop the spread of coronavirus cases in Delhi and other parts of India. To maintain social distancing, it is important to avoid any big event which witnesses huge public gatherings. The IPL and such sports events witness huge gatherings, therefore, we have decided to stop such events with an immediate effect till further order,” said Mr Sisodia.
Stressing on the need to contain the disease by adopting preventive measures, he advised people to avoid any large gatherings.
“I want to tell everyone not to wait for the government orders but to proactively avoid any big gatherings. The government is doing its best. But to stop the spread of coronavirus, mutual cooperation of the people and the government is very important,” Mr Sisodia added.
Citing the example of Korea, Mr Sisodia said coronavirus was contained for the first 30 cases but the 31st patient passed
it to thousands of other people.
“In order to prevent instances like these, the Delhi government has ordered that no big gatherings should take place. But if you find any such gatherings where people are coming from different places, please avoid such venues. We believe that such strict preventive steps are the only way to stop this disease and many other countries are following such steps,” he said.
Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said selfquarantine is the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “This is an exponential threat where
every day counts. I would urge people to self-quarantine themselves. If you have symptoms of Covid19, get your tests done, avoid public gatherings, and stay at home. This is the best way to contain the spread of this disease,” Mr Jain added.
Mr Jain said more than 500 beds had been readied for Covid-19 cases. Private hospitals should be allowed to run testing laboratories, he added.
North Delhi mayor Avtar Singh inspected Hindu Rao Hospital and Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Disease Hospital (MVID) to check their preparedness for
prevention of coronavirus and the wards prepared for patients. During the inspection, the officials informed the mayor that a 50-bed ward has been prepared for coronavirus patients. Officials further informed that separate wards have been set up for patients and suspects of coronavirus.