With coronavirus cases in India increasing fast, the Delhi Government has prohibited all the religious, cultural, social and political gatherings. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that no religious, cultural and political gathering with more than 50 people shall be allowed in the national Capital.
There is, however, no restriction on weddings but people are advised to postpone the dates, the CM said.
All auto-rickshaws and taxis will be disinfected for free to prevent the spread of the deadly disease, he said. Educating the masses about the scourge of deadly coronavirus, the AAP Government also announced that nightclubs, gyms and spas will remain closed till March 31.
Urging people to avoid large gatherings, Kejriwal also said that wedding programmes are excluded and has given instructions to all municipal corporation officials to set up mobile washbasins in public places on a large scale. Pertinently, seven cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Delhi so far.
Soon after his video-conferencing with all the stakeholders — three municipal corporations health officials — said his Government is taking all steps necessary to tackle the coronavirus crisis, and monitoring them at all times.
“Out of total seven corona cases to date, with the unfortunate demise of one of the patients, two patients have fully recovered and the remaining four are under treatment. The Delhi Government is taking all precautionary measures to quarantine those who have been affected. We have sufficient resources. More than 500 beds are ready to be installed,” said Kejriwal.
“We are also advising people who have come in contact with those infected to home quarantine themselves for a while. I want to appeal to all those people through the media that all those people who have been home quarantined should remain cautious in their approach of not contacting and meeting other people till everything is under control,” he added further.
Elaborating further about preparedness, Kejriwal said that each Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) will have to arrange for a specific number of mobile washbasins in their areas. Hand sanitisers will also be provided to all the staff and personnel working across all public places. “I want to appeal to the people to cooperate with the authorities. The Governments are doing whatever they can to contain the outbreak, but it is only with your cooperation that our efforts will be successful. Many countries have witnessed a major outbreak of the virus, which has fortunately not happened in our country. I will also request everyone to stop shaking hands with each other, ensure that you regularly wash your hands and sanitise them properly, and to not touch your face and eyes with hands.”
Interestingly Delhi is witnessing a sit-in protest in Shaheen Bagh, however, replying a query on this, CM Kejriwal said that the ban is applicable for everyone, be it protest or any gathering.
While majority of population travel in Metro and use autorickshaw for last mile connectivity, Delhi Government has said that all sort of public transportation will be disinfected for free to prevent force multiplier of deadly virus - Covid 19.
The Chief Minister said the Government has taken note of the grievances pertaining to hygiene from travellers from Spain and France put up in a quarantine facility in Dwarka. “People flying in from abroad mostly belong to the affluent class.
In some cases, the facilities may not be up to their expectations.
There are shortcomings also. So, we have made arrangements for them in certain hotels,” he said.
The Delhi Government has also made arrangements and increasing bed capacity and hospitalisation facilities. Lemon Tree, Red Fox, IBIS near airport will be used to quarantine the positive suspects after thermal screening at airport. The Delhi Government may initiate thermal screening in Delhi Metro as well, he said.