Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to impose a complete ban on social, religious and political gatherings of more than 50 people in the national capital. Weddings are permitted, for now, said Kejriwal. But he appealed to people to put off the weddings also if they can.
The ban, effective immediately, will also cover protests including the one against the amended citizenship law that has continued for more than two months at Shaheen Bagh.
“We have already shut schools, colleges, swimming pools so far. Today, it has been decided to order gyms, night clubs and spas also to close as a precautionary measure,” Kejriwal told a news conference after a review of the steps taken by the city government to prevent community transmission of the infection.
The national capital has only reported seven confirmed coronavirus cases so far including two patients who have recovered and have been discharged. Kejriwal said the administration was prepared for an eventuality where a larger number of people may be infected as a precautionary measure.
“Five hundred beds that have been kept aside in case there is a need for hospitalisation at a large scale,” Kejriwal said.
