Night curfew in Delhi from today

Delhi will start a 10 pm to 5 am night curfew from now till April 30, the city government said today, staring at a steep rise in COVID cases.

This is the toughest order by the Delhi government since the start of a fresh surge in coronavirus infections in the capital last month.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Friday said Delhi was going through the fourth wave of COVID-19 but a lockdown was not being considered yet.

 

“As per the current situation, we are not considering imposing a lockdown. We are closely monitoring the situation and such a decision will only be taken after due public consultation,” he had told reporters.

 

On Monday, Delhi recorded 3,548 fresh cases and 15 deaths.

 

During night curfew hours, traffic movement would not be stopped and those going for vaccinations will be allowed with an e-pass, officials said.

 

Those in essential services and retailers who need to travel after hours for ration, grocery stocks, vegetables, milk and medicines will also be allowed with similar passes. So will journalists of the print and electronic media.

 

Exceptions will also be made for pregnant women and those needing treatment.

 

The night curfew was being enforced to check the movement of people, not essential services, the Delhi government said in its order.

 

States like Maharashtra and Rajasthan have also launched night curfews to restrict movement in the middle of a spike in COVID cases across the country. On Monday, the number of cases in 24 hours crossed one lakh for the first time in India.

Maharashtra has announced a weekend lockdown and a tough 8 pm to 7 am curfew. Rajasthan’s night curfew is from 8 pm to 6 am.