Joining many other states and districts, the Delhi government has announced that the national capital will be under a complete curfew from tonight till next Monday. The decision came amid a massive spike in Covid-19 cases in the nation’s capital. India has recorded 2,73,810 Covid-19 cases on Monday.
“Essential services, food services, medical services will continue. Weddings can be held with only 50 people, passes will be issued separately for it. A detailed order will be issued shortly,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a televised address. He met Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to review the Covid-19 situation. Following the meeting, the six-day long curfew was announced.
The condition in the national capital is getting worse as the test positivity rate (TPR) is nearly 30%. On Sunday, Delhi recorded a daily high of 25,462 new cases. Reportedly, every third sample tested in Delhi is positive for Covid-19. Delhi had imposed weekend restrictions, but repeated violations of the Covid-19 norms has led the government to implement a week-long curfew. Many shops and markets will remain closed till April 25.
Delhi joins Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, among other states to impose strict restrictions after witnessing a massive spike in cases. Let’s take a look at the restrictions in the states.
The Kerala government recently issued sterner restrictions in the wake of the surge in Covid cases that will remain till April 30. The number of people attending public events has once again been restricted. Those visiting shopping malls will either need to carry Covid negative certificates or have taken both doses of vaccine. As there is a current shortage of vaccines available in the state, the mega vaccination camp will be expanded once the vaccine is available. The government also plans to set up more beds in the intensive care units of the hospitals in the state. District collections have been permitted to declare section 144 if needed. There will restrictions in public spaces. A decision to increase the number of daily Covid tests in the State has also been made.
Kerala has made the RT-PCR test mandatory for those entering the State. According to the order, the test should be conducted within 48 hours of the journey or as soon as they arrive in Kerala. Testing is mandatory for those who have taken the Covid vaccine too. Those travelling to Kerala in vehicles will also be subjected to Covid tests. Those who failed to register on the portal will be allowed entry only after completion of the registration.
Recently, the Kozhikode district also imposed lockdown-like restrictions on Sunday to curb Covid-19 spread. The district administration has urged people not to leave their houses except for essential activities. Not more than five people are allowed to gather at a place. All shops in Kozhikode selling essential goods remained open till 7 pm. Beaches, parks and other tourist spots remained closed on Sunday.
The Kasaragod district administration also placed strict restrictions on public entry into the town. Reportedly, the administration has made it mandatory that those entering Kasaragod must have a Covid-19 negative certificate or Covid vaccination from April 24.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has also closed its border at Chavadi in Walayar on the Kochi-Salem National Highway 544 in a bid to restrict the entry of vehicles from Kerala in the wake of rising Covid 19 cases. Tamil Nadu has also made E-pass mandatory for those arriving from Kerala.
All vehicles were directed to the service road for inspection of e-pass and other checks before allowing them back on the highway. Those with fever or the common cold were directed back. Authorities however relaxed the norms for those entering TN for medical treatment, college entrance, examinations and job interviews. As the State has introduced a night curfew till April 20 between 10 pm and 4 am, only vehicles on essential service duty would be allowed to ply.
Earlier, the Maharashtra government announced the imposition of ‘Janata curfew’ to fight Covid-19 till May 1. The Maharashtra government has allowed certain essential services will continue. Local train and bus services for essential services only will continue. Petrol pumps, financial institutions associated with SEBI and construction work can continue. Hotels and restaurants should remain closed and only take-away, home deliveries should be allowed.
The Maharashtra government said that cinema halls, theatres, auditoriums, amusement parks, gyms, sports complexes, shops and malls not performing essential services will remain shut. The government has also said shooting for films, serial and ads should be stopped immediately. Also, all worship places, schools, colleges, private coaching, barbershops, spas, salons and beauty parlours will stay closed during the ‘Janata curfew’.
Bihar, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh have shut schools, colleges and other educational institutes due to rising Covid-19 cases.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has decided to deliver tankers filled with liquid medical oxygen on freight trains at the request of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments. Many states have reportedly informed the Centre that they are running low on Oxygen supply.
