Delhi Mini Lockdown: Weekend curfew returns in Delhi amid COVID surge
New Delhi: In the wake of rising coronavirus cases, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Tuesday decided to impose a weekend curfew in the national capital. The weekend curfew will be in force from Friday 10 pm to Monday 5 AM. Reports have claimed that all employees of government offices will shift to “Work From Home” mode — barring those associated with the Essential Services category.
The fresh restrictions come a day after the city reported 4,099 fresh COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate spiralled to 6.46 per cent, with Health Minister Satyendar Jain saying the Omicron variant of coronavirus is behind the surge in infections in the city and more restrictions will be implemented if the bed occupancy rate goes up.
The number of new cases and positivity rate in the city is the highest since May 18. According to the DDMA-approved Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a positivity rate of more than five per cent for two consecutive days is one of the criteria to declare a ‘red alert’ which would mean a ‘total curfew’ and halting of most economic activities in the capital. According to the latest government data, only 420 (4.65 per cent) of the 9,029 beds in Delhi hospitals are occupied. As many as 124 patients need oxygen, while seven are on ventilator support.
Full list of fresh restrictions in Delhi
- Night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM
- Weekend curfew from Friday 10 PM to Monday 5 AM.
- Private offices will remain open with 50 per cent capacity.
- Government offices, barring essential services, to work from home.
- People travelling in metros and buses have to wear face masks. No entry without masks.
