Delhi Lockdown: National Capital Imposes Concrete Measures To Control The Spread Of COVID-19

New Delhi: The Delhi government declared coronavirus an “epidemic” after six cases were reported in Delhi, on Thursday March 12. Amid rising coronavirus cases in India, the Delhi government asked people not to panic, saying no community transmission of the virus has been observed and there has only been a few cases of local transmission so far. Furthermore, several precautionary measures have been implemented in the national capital including shutting down of schools, colleges and cinema halls till March 31.

The Delhi government had shut the primary schools earlier this month while the secondary classes were left open in view of the exams. Schools and colleges where exams are not being held will also remain closed.

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The Delhi government has banned gatherings of over 200 people at sporting activities, including Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches, and events like conferences until further notice “for the purpose of prevention and control of the outbreak of the epidemic disease, COVID-19”.

Thousands will come for these events, from all over. There is no way to know who is coming, where they are coming from and no way to control their arrival. It takes only one person to spread this disease, to be a carrier, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters this morning.

Disinfecting all public places, including government, private offices and shopping malls in the capital have been made compulsory. Furthermore, vacant flats owned by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board will be used for quarantine, says CM Kejriwal.

All Delhi Transport Corporation buses plying in the national capital will also be disinfected against coronavirus, while all the buses arriving here from other states too will be disinfected at all ISBTs.

Buses coming from other states into Delhi to be disinfected at all ISBTs to control the spread of coronavirus, a government official said on Friday.

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On the other hand, cleaning drive in all Delhi Metro trains has been intensified as a precautionary measure against coronavirus, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Delhi Metro trains are regularly cleaned at the depots every day before putting them into passenger operations. Intensified cleaning of metro trains and station areas continue as a precautionary measure, DMRC Twitter handle read.

An advisory has also been issued to owners of public passenger vehicles to disinfect their vehicles daily. All the public swimming pools in the national capital have also been shut till March 31 by the Delhi Health Department.

The purpose of closing the pools was “surveillance, prevention and control of the outbreak of the epidemic, COVID-19,” the order said.