New Delhi: Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (January 9, 2022) addressed the media and said that his government is not planning to not impose any lockdown.
In a press conference, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief said that the COVID-19 situation is under control and requested people to wear masks.
Today’s message was a repeat of what Mr Kejriwal said last week, when he said Covid cases were rising rapidly in the city but there was no need to panic.
The Chief Minister also urged people to get double vaccinated as soon as possible.
Mr Kejriwal also announced that he had recovered after a Covid infection picked up while campaigning for next month’s Uttarakhand election. “I am back at your service after recovering from Corona,” he said, adding that he had self-isolated at home after having a two-day fever.
Mr Kejriwal’s entreaties come as Delhi is expected to report around 22,000 Covid cases today.
The city reported 20,181 yesterday – an increase of 16 per cent. Daily new cases are also creeping closer to the single-day record of 26,169 set on April 23, during the peak of the second wave.
The remarks come amid the national capital recording seven more fatalities due to COVID-19 and clocking 20,181 new infections. The positivity rate in Delhi has now also increased to 19.60 per cent, according to data by the health department.
Weekend curfew is already in place in Delhi to curb the spread of coronavirus. The curfew started at 10 pm on Friday and will remain in force till Monday 5 am.
During the weekend curfew, only those involved in essential services and those facing an emergency situation are allowed to step out of their homes. Those venturing out will have to produce e-passes issued by the government or valid identity cards.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is also scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss further restrictions, including ‘total curfew’, under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
The agenda of the meeting includes a review of the COVID-19 situation and preparation in the wake of rising Omicron cases in Delhi, a discussion on the implementation of GRAP (Level 4 Red), and a review of the vaccination programme.
“Discussion on implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (Level 4 Red Alert) as positivity of COVID-19 has crossed 15.34 per cent,” stated the notice listing agenda of the meeting.
The ‘Red Alert’ is the topmost level of restrictions, including a total curfew, closure of all non-essential shops, metro trains, government offices, except those dealing with essential services, under the four-stage GRAP approved by DDMA. It can be sounded when the coronavirus positivity crosses 5 per cent and stays so for two consecutive days.
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