The vaccination campaign against Covid-19 in India, here in Bombay. – Rajanish kakade
To contain the outbreak of coronavirus cases and reduce the pressure on hospitals, a week-long lockdown goes into effect this Monday evening for the 20 million inhabitants of New Delhi, India, local authorities said.
With 273,810 cases in twenty-four hours, India hit a new record on Monday, crossing the mark of 200,000 new cases for the fifth day in a row.
“Delhi’s health system is at breaking point”
In Delhi, the most affected city in the country of 1.3 billion inhabitants, more than 25,000 cases have been recorded in twenty-four hours. Almost a third of those tested were positive.
“Delhi’s health system is at the breaking point. The Covid-19 situation is serious, ”said local government chief Arvind Kejriwal. “If we do not impose lockdown now, we are facing an even greater catastrophe. Containment will begin tonight, until next Monday, ”he said.
Restrictions in other states
Arvind Kejriwal clarified that businesses would close and that travel would only be allowed for people performing a function deemed essential. “Containment will not end the pandemic but it will slow it down. We will take advantage of this week of confinement to improve the situation in hospitals, ”he said, adding that the health system was“ under pressure ”and“ close to its limits ”.
Similar restrictions have already been decreed elsewhere in the country, notably in the states of Maharashtra (west), where the financial capital Bombay is located, and Tamil Nadu (south).