Night curfew in Delhi from today as Covid cases rise
City records 290 coronavirus cases, 1 death in last 24 hours
Night curfew will be imposed in Delhi from December 27 amid a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, according to people familiar with the development. The night curfew will remain in force from 11pm to 5am.
Delhi reported 290 Covid-19 cases, the highest in six months, and one related death in the last 24 hours amid the spread of the Omicron variant, according to data shared by the Delhi government’s health department. The case positivity rate has climbed to 0.5 per cent — a critical level — and could trigger the “yellow alert” if it remains there for two consecutive days.
Delhi, with 79 Omicron cases, accounts for the second-highest number of infections caused by the new coronavirus variant in the country. The nationwide tally stood at 422
The new infections and death took the cumulative tally to 14,43,352 and 25,105 respectively. The overall active cases now stand at 1,103, of which 583 patients are in home isolation. Delhi has been witnessing a steady uptick in new Covid cases amid the spread of Omicron, triggering concerns over the healthcare system which got overwhelmed during the second Covid wave.
Under the Delhi government’s four-stage Graded response Action Plan (GRAP), the yellow alert will lead to a host of additional curbs. The GRAP was approved by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority in July in anticipation of a third wave of Covid and aims to bring in imposition and lifting of restrictions depending on the situation
Most activities that were resumed in phases as the second wave waned will come to a grinding halt if the alert is sounded. The operational timings of shops and malls selling non-essential goods and services will be restrained. They will be allowed to be open from 10 am to 8 pm under the oddeven rule.
Under the yellow alert, restaurants in the city will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity from 8 am to 10 pm, while bars will be allowed to remain open from 12 noon to 10 pm at 50 per cent capacity. Cinema halls and multiplexes that were currently open to the audience will be shut down. And so will be banquet halls and auditoriums. However, hotels will be allowed to remain open
Spas, gyms, yoga institutes and entertainment parks will be shut down. Sports complexes, stadiums and swimming pools will be closed. But there will be no restrictions on organising national or international sporting events at these places. Public parks will remain open.
The yellow alert will not come in the way of salons and beauty parlours which will be allowed to operate in the city. Spas, gyms, yoga institutes and entertainment parks will be shut down. Sports complexes, stadiums and swimming pools will be closed. But there will be no restrictions on organising national or international sporting events at these places. Public parks will remain open.