Delhi govt limits number of guests at marriages, other events as COVID-19 cases surge

New Delhi: In view of the recent surge in coronavirus cases in the National Capital, the Delhi government on Saturday put a cap of 200 guests in marriage and other events at open-air venues and of 100 people for closed spaces in the city.

In an order, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev said not more than 50 people will be allowed at funerals in the National Capital.

Dev, who is also the chairperson of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority's (DDMA) state executive committee, said the order will be in force till  30 April.

He, however, said status quo will be maintained regarding current permissible and prohibited activities in the city.

In the order, Dev said cap on the number of people in marriage, banquet hall, other gatherings and congregations, and in funeral needs to be imposed.

"In closed spaces, a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 100 people, and in open spaces numbers will be allowed keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, with a ceiling of 200 people subject to strict observance of wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitiser," the order stated.

Delhi reported 1,558 coronavirus cases for the third day on a row on Saturday, while 10 more people, the highest in around two-and-a-half months, succumbed to the disease.

This is the highest number of cases since 15 December last year when 1,617 people tested positive for the virus, according to official data.

The city had recorded 1,534 cases on Friday, 1,515 on Thursday, 1,254 on Wednesday and 1,101 cases on Tuesday — the first time since 24  December that the number of cases crossed the 1,000-mark.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain dismissed any possibility of imposing another lockdown in Delhi, saying it was not a solution to check the spread of the coronavirus that is again surging rapidly.

Jain said there was a logic behind the lockdown enforced earlier as nobody knew then how the virus spreads.

from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/31oN1Om