No lockdown in Delhi, but restrictions at busy places: Health Minister Satyendra Jain

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A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought power from the Centre to impose lockdown in market areas that could emerge as Covid-19 hotspots, health minister Satyendra Jain said that there is no plan to impose another lockdown in the national capital. He, however, said that there will be restrictions in busy places.

"There'll be no lockdown but there can be local restrictions at some busy places. Maximum tests are being conducted which we'll further increase. The virus can easily spread due to large gatherings during Chhath Pooja hence the restrictions," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kejriwal said that the city government has sent a proposal to the Centre to give power to impose lockdown in market areas that are emerging as COVID-19 hotspots. "Since cases are rising in Delhi, we are sending a general proposal to Central government that if required, Delhi government can implement shutting down those markets for few days, where norms are not being followed and they are becoming a local Covid-19 hotspot," Kejriwal said.

Hours later, deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that there is no plan for a lockdown or a "mini-lockdown" in the national capital. "Delhi government has only asked for an exemption from Home Ministry rules to reduce crowding at markets," he said, adding that the government will take measures to reduce crowds at markets in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Delhi recorded 6,396 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the infection tally in the national capital to over 4.95 lakh, even as 99 new fatalities pushed the toll to 7,812, authorities said. These fresh cases came out of the 49,031 tests conducted the previous day, while the positivity rate stood at 13.04 per cent amid the festive season and rising pollution in the city, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.

Ninety-nine fatalities were recorded, pushing the toll in the national capital to 7,812. The active cases tally on Tuesday rise to 42,004 from 40,128, the previous day. The highest single-day spike of 8593 cases till date here was recorded on November 11 when 85 fatalities were recorded.