Delhi ramps up steps to curb covid, raises fine for not wearing mask to 2,000

Delhi is once again back in focus as cases of covid-19 continue to rise in the national capital. On Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government decided to increase the fine for not wearing masks to ₹2,000. The government has also directed private hospitals to reserve 80% beds in ICUs for covid-19 patients and advised them to postpone all non-critical planned surgeries for the next few days.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday chaired an all-party meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in the national capital.

As per reports, Delhi accounts for a lion's share of cases and passings in the nation due to Coronavirus. With the happy season in progress alongside elevated levels of air contamination, Delhi has seen a gigantic spike in instances of Coronavirus. Delhi presently has more than 500,000 instances of Coronavirus of which 42,457 cases are right now dynamic. There have been 7,943 passings because of the disease and 453,000 lakh individuals have recuperated from the infection. 

"This isn't an ideal opportunity to do politics. This is a difficult stretch. This is an ideal opportunity to work for individuals, this is the thing that individuals will recall. We should push aside politics during this time. In the course of recent days, there have been politics over the festival of Chhath puja. We as a whole need to observe Chhath puja yet specialists across have cautioned that water will build the spread of the disease. There is a pandemic and we ought to celebrate in our own homes today. Different states have



additionally taken comparable choices for the celebration," Kejriwal said while tending to a question and answer session. 

He said the public authority had taken key choices to control the spike in cases which incorporates holding 80% beds in ICUs. He said that specialists, medical fraternity has overseen Coronavirus well indeed. He said that stricter move should be made to guarantee that individuals keep on wearing covers.

“There are approximately 7,500 beds available in Delhi hospitals and 450 ICU beds. The government has taken key decisions to increase beds in hospitals and ICU beds. An order will be applicable from today on private hospitals that 80% beds in ICUs will be reserved for covid-19 patients. 60% non-ICU beds will also be reserved for covid-19 patients. We have also decided to postpone non-critical planned surgeries," he added.

“We need to take more strict actions when rules are not being followed. I met the lieutenant governor and we have decided to increase the fine from ₹500 to ₹2,000. I appeal political parties and religious institutions to distribute masks. Wearing a mask reduces the risk of the virus spreading," he added.

In the last week, the Delhi government has reduced the number of people allowed at weddings and other gatherings from 200 to 50. The state government has also written to the central government for permission to impose a lockdown in certain markets for short periods where social distancing norms are not being followed and number of cases are very high.