Delhi’s chief minister calls for new curbs after spike in COVID-19 cases

India’s capital could impose a new lockdown to contain a surge in coronavirus cases in New Delhi in the past couple of weeks, even as experts called out the government’s “utter failure” in handling the crisis. “We are sending a general proposal to the central government so that, if required, the Delhi government can shut down those markets for a few days,” Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s chief minister, said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Delhi is a federally administered Union Territory with an elected legislature. However, unlike a full-fledged state, the chief minister of Delhi enjoys limited powers and for any major administrative decision has to get the permission of the lt. governor, a central government’s nominee who enjoys wide-ranging powers. On Monday, Delhi recorded 3,797 new infections and 99 deaths, taking the total tally to more than 490,000 infections and nearly 8,000 fatalities.

Kejriwal suggested capping the number of guests at weddings as a restrictive measure.

“In keeping with the central government’s guidelines, Delhi had allowed up to 200 people at weddings. But now we have

decided to go back to the earlier limit of 50 people,” Kejriwal said. The rise in cases follows the Durga Puja and Diwali celebrations in the past month, with many people thronging to the markets, defying all anti-virus measures for COVID-19. The increased numbers have brought additional pressure on hospitals, with many in the capital reporting full intensive care units (ICU). On Sunday, the federal government held an emergency meeting with Delhi and decided to add more ICU beds. Some media reports quoted Home Minister Amit Shah as saying that New Delhi would fly in medical professionals from outside the New Delhi region to deal with the rising cases. “The situation is likely to worsen over the next few weeks,” Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said after Sunday’s meeting.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal on Tuesday said that “the state and central government and all agencies are doubling their efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in Delhi.” However, experts aren’t convinced, with several blaming the deteriorating air quality in the capital for adding to the problem. “The festive season has been underway for the last few weeks, and the people have lowered their guard, not following the protocol of wearing masks. The sad thing is that winter is setting in and air pollution is going up, both of which pose a risk for respiratory illness,” public health expert and researcher Dr. Anant Bhan told Arab News.

On Tuesday, India registered nearly 31,000 new cases, taking the national caseload to almost 9 million, with 131,000 deaths reported – out of a population of nearly 1.4 billion – making it the world’s second-worst affected nation after the US.

Some experts blamed the government’s inadequate response to the crisis for the uptick in numbers.

AFP Authorities have drawn up plans to reinstate some curbs, such as lockdowns of some markets, as New Delhi battles its worst phase in the coronavirus pandemic.