Life comes to halt as weekend curfew underway in Delhi

Police stand guard in the backdrop of the Jama Masjid mosque as a lockdown is in effect wherein only people catering to essential services were allowed to commute as directed by the Delhi state government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus infections in New Delhi on April 17, 2021. Credit: AFP Photo

Life in the national capital has come to a halt as the city grappling with soaring Covid-19 cases observed weekend curfew, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday appealing to people to adhere to the restrictions.

The weekend curfew aimed at breaking the chain of spiralling coronavirus infections was clamped at 10 pm on Friday and will continue till 5 am on Monday.

"There is curfew in Delhi today and tomorrow due to Corona. Please follow it. Together we have to defeat Corona," Kejriwal tweeted.

The Delhi government and the police have issued e-passes to exempted category people who need to go out during the curfew for necessary services and activities like vaccination, going to railway stations, airports, grocery and fruit and vegetable stalls.

Also read: India sees over 2 lakh new Covid-19 cases for third straight day

The e-passes issued for already imposed night curfew will be applicable during the weekend curfew as well, the government has said.

Public transport including DTC and cluster buses and metro trains are running at reduced capacity and frequency for those involved in essential services and activities.

Delhi recorded its highest-ever one-day Covid-19 figures on Friday when 19,486 cases and 141 deaths were reported, prompting Chief Minister Kejriwal to order to set up more coronavirus facilities and increase the strength of oxygen beds.

The government will review the situation of Covid-19 in Delhi following the weekend curfew and decide the future course of action including its extension or some other measures, officials said.

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