A huge crowd was witnessed outside liquor shops as soon as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a week-long lockdown in National Capital. People are seen flouting Covid norms as they gathered in Khan Market.
CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced a week-long lockdown in Delhi. The lockdown will begin from 10 pm tonight till 5 am next Monday which means it will last till 26 April.
While announcing the lockdown, Arvind Kejriwal addressed the people of Delhi saying, “I appeal to Delhiites to follow lockdown which is necessary to reduce Covid cases; we will improve the health system during this time.” Chief Minister Kejriwal also appealed to migrant workers not to leave the city during this period of lockdown.
Chief Minister also said that essential services, food services, medical services will continue and wedding can be held with a gathering of only 50 people.
Also Read: After Rajasthan, Delhi govt imposes six-day strict lockdown from tonight 10pm to April 26
As soon as Arvind Kejriwal announced the lockdown, people started gathering wildly outside liquor shops in areas like Lajpatnagar, Laxmi Nagar, Jahangirpuri. Long lines are observed outside these shops as people are flouting social distancing norms.
Last year, the exact situation was observed when the government had given few relaxations after several months of lockdown. Liquor shops had witnessed huge crowds even when the pandemic was at a peak.
Meanwhile, the government has changed the age of purchasing liquor to 21 years. Earlier, according to new policies new liquor shops were to be opened. However, now Manish Sisodia has rejected this proposal.
Delhi has reported about 23,500 new cases in the last 24 hours. On this continuously rising number, Delhi CM said, “If 25,000 patients come every day then the system will crumble, there’s a shortage of beds.”
India has reported 2,75,196 new cases on April 18 and recorded 1,620 fatalities. So far, the country has crossed the 1.5 crore mark for covid cases and 1,78,793 deaths.