Delhi Weekend Curfew announced amid Omicron surge – know key decisions taken by state Government

The Delhi Government on Tuesday imposed weekend curfew in the national capital in view of a surge in Covid cases driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said the Delhi government has decided to impose weekend curfew in the capital in view of the rising number of coronavirus cases driven by the Omicron variant.

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"There will be curfew on Saturdays and Sundays. People are requested to step out only when it is absolutely necessary," he said in a virtual press conference after a meeting of the Disaster Management Authority.

Sisodia said the government feared that bus stops and metro stations could become super spreaders as the seating capacity had been halved and long queues were seen at such places.

There are around 11,000 active cases in Delhi while the hospital admissions remain low. Only 350 have been admitted in hospitals, the Minister said.

Of them 124 need oxygen, while seven are on ventilator support, Sisodia further said in his press conference.

See Tweet Here:

Addressing an important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/ikjwaxtJaX

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) January 4, 2022

On December 28, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) declared a 'yellow alert' after the positivity rate crossed the 0.5 per cent mark and closed down cinemas and gyms.

According to the DDMA-approved Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a positivity rate of more than five per cent for two consecutive days is one of the criteria to declare a 'red alert' which means a 'total curfew' and halting of most economic activities in the capital.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain have said most cases this time are mild or symptomatic and do not need medical care in hospitals.

Meanwhile, CM Kejriwal on Tuesday announced that he has also tested positive for Covid-19, adding that he has "mild symptoms" and was isolating at home.

Earlier, Jain had said the Omicron variant of coronavirus is behind the surge in infections in the city and more restrictions will be implemented if bed occupancy rate goes up.

Delhi on Monday reported 4,099 fresh COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate spiraled to 6.46 per cent, with Jain saying the Omicron variant of coronavirus is behind the surge in infections in the city and more restrictions will be implemented if the bed occupancy rate goes up.

Key takeaways from the decision:

1) The Deputy CM said that the government employees, barring those engaged in essential services, will be asked to work from home.
2) Meanwhile, private offices will remain open with 50 per cent capacity.
3) The government has decided to run buses and metro trains in full capacity but no one can travel without a mask, he said.
4) The order directs shops of non-essential items to open on an odd-even basis and reduced the seating capacity in metro trains and buses to 50 per cent.