Delhi extended lockdown: Metro services to be shut till 17 May

Delhi – Amid novel coronavirus surge and the attempt to contain, Delhi government on Sunday extended the lockdown by another week till 17 May. According to the new order, several new and stringent curbs will come into force from tomorrow, including shutting down metro services across all the lines.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) issued a statement saying, “Delhi Metro services on all its Lines shall also remain suspended for passenger and essential services from 10.05.2021 till 5:00 AM of 17.05.2021.”

During the previous restrictions, the metro was available in the morning (8 am to 10 in) and evening (5 pm to 7 pm) peak hours across the network with a headway (frequency) of 30 minutes.

Announcing the lockdown extension, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that all other essential services will continue in the city. The lockdown scheduled to end at 5 am on Monday will now be extended up to May 17 morning

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Dining-in at restaurants will remain prohibited, shopping malls will continue to be shut and employees of businesses outside of essential services will be required to keep working from home.

Marriages can only be held at home or court with not more than 20 people, according to an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

“There will be a complete prohibition on marriage ceremonies at public places, banquet halls, hotels and similar places during the period,” it said.

Kejriwal said although COVID-19 cases have come down in the last few days, but any leniency would squander the gains achieved so far in the current wave of the pandemic.

Speaking about the effect of the restrictions in controlling the spread of the virus, the CM said: “The positivity rate had reached 35% when we first implemented the lockdown. It has since come down due to the strict measures. In the last two days, it has reached 23%.”

“We used the lockdown period to boost our medical infrastructure and to increase oxygen beds at various locations. The oxygen situation has improved in Delhi. We are getting less panic or SOS calls from hospitals now,” he added.

Source – https://www.livemint.com/