Delhi govt extends Covid-induced lockdown by another week

DELHI: The Delhi administration has decided to extend the lockdown in the national capital by another week, announced Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday.

Kejriwal said that if the Covid-19 cases continue to show a downward trend, the unlock process will begin in a phased manner in Delhi from 31 May.

The announcement comes in the backdrop of Delhi reporting 1,600 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the positivity rate to 2.5%.

A lockdown was first imposed in the national capital on 19 April, which was later extended multiple times, lastly on 16 May.

CM Kejriwal:

"Delhi was the first to impose lockdown across the country during the second wave of the virus. But within a month, the situation seems to be stabilising due to the discipline showed by the residents of the national capital," said Kejriwal.

"The positivity rate has decreased from the all-time high of 36% to 2.5%," he stated.

However, Kejriwal said, Delhi is continuing to show over 1,000 cases every day even now. "In light of this, everybody is of the view that the lockdown should be extended by a week," he said.

Further speaking about the shortage of vaccines, the Delhi CM said that he is in talks with both domestic and international manufacturers to procure more stock.

"There is a possibility that the third wave will not hit if everyone is vaccinated. We are planning to vaccinate everyone as soon as possible. I am in talks with domestic and foreign companies regarding vaccines. We are ready to spend from our budget," said Kejriwal.

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