As COVID cases rise, Delhi govt announces stricter prohibitions

The Delhi government on Saturday annouced stricter restrictions for all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural and religious gatherings in view of rising in COVID-19 cases, news agency PTI reported.

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As part of the new protocols, people travelling to Delhi from Maharashtra by air will have to carry a negative RT-PCR test result. The test has to be within 72 hours of arrival in Delhi, and failure to carry a test result will see people undergo a mandatory quarantine of 14 days.  

Meanwhile, attendance for marriage and funeral-related gatherings have been restricted to 50 and 20 persons respectively. Restaurants, bars and cinema halls/multiplexes will be allowed up to operate at 50% seating capacity.

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All swimming pools in the city will remain shut, except for the ones being used by athletes for training for national and international sporting events. All schools, colleges and coaching institutions will also remain closed.  

Public transport, including the Delhi Metro, DTC and cluster buses, will also operate at 50% capacity. 

Delhi on Saturday recorded 7,897 new COVID-19 cases, and 39 deaths. The city’s total death toll now stands at 11,235, while the positivity rate has mounted to 10.21%.