Lockdown in Delhi likely to be extended if corona cases surge unabated: Sources

According to the government sources, the lockdown order might come to play in the national capital if the coronavirus cases continue to surge, in the days to come.

New Delhi: Registering a new high in the number of daily cases detected, the national capital on Tuesday recorded a total of 17,712 active cases thereby hinting that the lockdown might be extended in the state to keep the coronavirus outbreak in check, a source said.

With Unlock 1 in force outside containment zones, Delhi saw a steep surge in the number of corona cases, further, the number of hotspot areas grew manifold. According to state government authorities, the centre has issued strict guidelines to ward off the spread of coronavirus but as soon as the lockdown order was lifted, social distancing norm across Delhi has been massively violated which has led to a sharp increase in the number of corona cases.

However, the AAP government has been criticised for failing to curb the spread of the deadly virus. Moreover, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal on Monday overruled Delhi government's decision that all state-run and private hospitals are supposed to admit only bonafide residents of the national capital for treatment during the COVID-19 crisis.

Sources in the Home Ministry said the lockdown was lifted to get the economy back on track, the centre, however, can impose restrictions in the national capital if the cases continue to increase.

On the other hand, Mizoram and West Bengal on Monday announced an extension of lockdown even as a large part of the country opened up under the Phase II of lockdown 1.0.