A motorist rides through deserted Rajpath road during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on March 22, 2020
The National Capital of Delhi will go into lockdown from 6 am tomorrow, which will last till March 31, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday. Kejriwal announced the suspension of public transport services, including buses, metro, taxi and auto-rickshaw services. "Only 25 per cent of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses will ply on roads," he said during a press conference. The Delhi CM was seen with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal in the digital press conference while making the announcement.
Kejriwal said during his remarks that only essential services will be available to the public, including food and civil supplies and ambulance among others. All markets and malls will be closed across the city from tomorrow. All the food joints and restaurants have been ordered shut, said Kejriwal. "Only takeaways and home deliveries will be permitted," he said.
"The government offices dealing with electricity and water issues, print and electronic media offices among others will stay open," he said.
An order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department of Delhi listed 24 offices and services that would remain open, including offices charged with law and order and magisterial duties, police, health, prisons, fair price shops, electricity, water, municipal services, and petrol pumps among others.
The Delhi CM further announced that all the state borders will be sealed from tomorrow morning, with notable exceptions to be made for travellers with pressing reasons. "During the lockdown in Delhi, no document or proof will be sought from a person if they say that they are out on streets to provide or avail any essential service," said Kejriwal.
Giving an update on the coronavirus situation in the city, Kejriwal revealed that Delhi is yet to enter the community transmission stage, as all the cases that have surfaced so far were either of people who have foreign travel history or those who had come into contact with these people. The National Capital has so far reported 27 cases of COVID-19, with one person succumbing to the virus as of Sunday.
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