Will impose lockdown if condition in hospitals worsens: Delhi CM Kejriwal

New Delhi: Pointing out the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the government will be left with no option but to impose lockdown if the condition in hospitals worsens.

“Delhi government is not in favour of lockdown, but we will be left with no options if the situation worsens in hospitals,” Kejriwal said at a press conference.

Earlier, the Delhi CM urged the Centre to free the inoculation drive in the country from age restrictions. He backed up his demand saying that 65 per cent of patients in Delhi from the infection are under 45 years of age.

He urged people to check the availability of beds on the government’s app before going to hospitals. “Occupy beds only if there is an emergency,” he appealed to the citizens.

On Saturday, the Delhi government announced new guidelines for weddings, restaurants and cinemas and imposed restrictions on people coming in from Maharashtra.

Check the availability of beds on our app before going to hospitals. Occupy beds only if there is an emergency. I am not in favour of lockdown but shortage of beds and failure in hospital management will leave us with no option: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/XhiHloeq6W

— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2021

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority also issued guidelines that make it mandatory for people travelling by air from Maharashtra to Delhi to carry a negative RT-PCR test done 72 hours prior to arrival.

In order to meet the increased demand for manpower during the ongoing pandemic, all Delhi Government hospitals have been directed to engage fourth and fifth-year MBBS students, interns and BDS doctors.

The Delhi government, on Friday, had announced all schools would remain shut till further orders. The city currently has 28,773 active COVID-19 cases.