Delhi: Lajpat Nagar market closed during the weekend curfew amid Covid-19 scare

In an attempt to control the spread of surging Covid-19 cases in the national capital, shopping market Lajpat Nagar in Delhi has been closed during the weekend curfew. This comes after the Delhi government imposed a weekend in Delhi from 10 pm on Friday till 5 am on Monday.  

Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has stated that it will meet on Monday to discuss further restrictions, including 'total curfew', under the Graded Response Action plan, officials said on Friday.

With rise in the number of coronavirus cases and its variant Omicron, weekend curfew was imposed in Delhi from 10 pm on Friday till 5 am on Monday.

Delhi on Friday recorded 17,335 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day rise since May 8, and nine deaths, while the positivity rate mounted to 17.73 per cent, according to data shared by the health department.

This is a significant rise from Thursday when the city recorded 15,097 new cases at a positivity rate of 15.34 per cent.

On Wednesday and Tuesday, 10,665 and 5,481 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 11.88 per cent and 8.37 per cent, respectively, according to official figures.

"The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting has been scheduled on Monday at noon in view of the rising COVID-19 cases. Further restrictions could be decided as the cases are fast rising," official sources said.

The agenda of the meeting include review of the COVID-19 situation and preparation in the wake of rising Omicron cases in Delhi, discussion on implementation of GRAP (Level 4 Red), and review of vaccination programme.

"Discussion on implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (Level 4 Red Alert) as positivity of Covid has crossed 15.34 per cent," stated the notice listing agenda of the meeting.

The Red Alert is the topmost level of restrictions, including total curfew, closure of all non-essential shops, Metro trains, government offices, except those dealing with essential services, under the four-stage Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) approved by DDMA.

It was also discussed in the previous meeting of DDMA, but the authorities decided to impose weekend curfew instead.

Under GRAP, Red Alert is sounded when Covid positivity crosses 5 per cent and stays so for two consecutive days.

Currently, in view of heavy crowd at bus stands and Metro stations, the DDMA has allowed 100 per cent seating capacity in the buses and Metro trains. Standing passengers, however, are not allowed.