CM Kejriwal Rules Out Lockdown In Delhi But Says More Restrictions Coming As COVID Cases Rise
Amid the growing rumor and concerns about the national capital going into lockdown to control the spiraling number of COVID-19 cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has yet again ruled it out.
He, however, indicated that the government is likely to put some more restrictions in the coming days.
Not an option
"Lockdown is not an option. However, we will be putting some restrictions in place to contain the spread of the virus. The Delhi government will issue some new restrictions in the coming few days," Kejriwal said.
The chief minister further stated there has been a sharp increase in new Covid-19 cases across the nation, including Delhi. "We need to simultaneously spearhead an aggressive vaccination campaign and also put in place measures that can effectively contain the spread of the virus along with making hospital management equally effective," Kejriwal added.
He further said that the national capital is facing the fourth wave of coronavirus. The last wave was in November after which the cases had gone down in Delhi and the health agencies began to go lax. "It is imperative that they regain their momentum and begin to function in the same efficient manner that they did, which helped contain the spread of the virus," Kejriwal said.
As of now the major restriction imposed in Delhi is the night curfew which will be in place till April 30.
Delhi like most parts of the country is seeing an alarming spike in new COVID-19 infections.
But unlike in many other states, Kejriwal said there is no shortage of beds in hospitals in Delhi for COVID-19 patients.
"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan hospital on Saturday, to review its preparation in the face of the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic that has hit Delhi. He took stock of the situation and the facilities provided to the patients in the hospital," the statement said.
At present, 1,500 beds out of 2,000 are reserved for COVID-19 patients, and the number might be increased according to requirements in the future, Kejriwal said.
"The last few days have seen a rise in the number of corona cases in the entire country, including Delhi. We need to simultaneously spearhead an aggressive vaccination campaign and also put in place measures that can effectively contain the spread of the virus along with making the hospital management equally effective," he said.
He also expressed confidence that at current levels, all residents of Delhi will be vaccinated within 2-3 months.?
"I have written a letter to the prime minister, in which I have said that if adequate doses of the vaccination are made available to us; if we are given permission to increase the number of vaccination centres and if the age limit is removed then within 2-3 months we can vaccinate the entire state," he said.
