Coronavirus Update: Delhi Orders Shut Down Of Malls; Grocery, Pharmacy Stores Exempt
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, Delhi had 17 active coronavirus cases while one another person died of Covid-19 previously.
In view of the coronavirus threat, the Delhi government today ordered closure of all malls in the national capital but exempted grocery and pharmacy stores in them.
The move came within minutes of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announcing a partial lockdown in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur.
Putting out an update on the developing coronavirus situation in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “In view of the prevailing situation, we are closing down all malls (except grocery, pharmacy and vegetable shops in them).” All non-essential services have been stopped till March 31, only essential services will continue, he added in another tweet.
An official in Chief Minister’s Office said that the order comes into effect immediately. All non-essential staff are being directed to work from home while all permanent and contractual employees will be paid for this period.
Kejriwal has also held a meeting with medical superintendents of all Delhi government hospitals. "If corona spreads widely in future, our hospitals shud be prepared to deal with such a situation—all machines should be working, adequate ventilators, adequate medicines and consumables, manpower, etc.," he tweeted.
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As of 9 a.m. on Friday, Delhi had 17 active coronavirus cases while one another person died of Covid-19 previously. India at present has 195 active cases. Four people have succumbed to the virus and 20 others have been cured or discharged, according to data from the central health ministry.